A 35‑year‑old woman who served as treasurer of the Lawrence Junior Cardinals has been taken into custody after authorities say she diverted nearly $1,700 of the organization’s money for personal use.
Audit Reveals Hidden Transactions
Veronica Bruno allegedly used the youth football and cheer group’s debit card to make a series of purchases that totaled $1,703.32, according to court filings. The spending spree, which spanned several months, included items ranging from online retail orders to personal services, investigators said.
The irregularities came to light in December 2025 when an internal audit of the nonprofit’s finances uncovered discrepancies. Auditors traced a pattern of unauthorized transactions that pointed to Bruno’s card as the common denominator.
Charged with a third‑degree count of misappropriation of entrusted property, Bruno now faces the possibility of a prison sentence of up to three years, a fine, and restitution to the organization. She was released on a complaint summons and will return to court at a later date.
The Lawrence Junior Cardinals, a community staple that fields teams for children across the township, released a brief statement confirming the incident and affirming that it has instituted tighter financial controls to prevent future breaches.
The case underscores a growing concern among youth sports leagues about the vulnerability of modest budgets to internal fraud, prompting many organizations to adopt stricter oversight measures and independent audits.