Former Director of Boys and Girls Club of Greater Waterbury Charged with Stealing Funds
| U.S. Attorney’s Office September 13, 2011 |
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT GENERALI, 52, of Skyline Drive, Waterbury, was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with theft concerning a program receiving federal funds.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 1989 and June 1, 2011, GENERALI served as the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Waterbury. In that role, GENERALI had primary, day-to-day responsibilities for managing the club’s finances. It is alleged that, from January 2010 to June 2011, GENERALI embezzled from the club by using the club’s funds to pay for unauthorized, personal expenses. As part of the scheme, it is alleged that GENERALI established an “off-the-books” bank account, funded with approximately $30,000 in club funds, that he drew upon to pay for personal expenses. It is also alleged that GENERALI charged personal expenses to a credit card that he established in the club’s name, and that he also authorized the issuance of checks to “phantom” employees, which checks were drawn from the club’s funds and that GENERALI then negotiated for his own unauthorized use.
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Waterbury has received federal grant monies from the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.
GENERALI was arrested today. Following his arrest, he appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and was released on a $100,000 bond.
If convicted of the charge of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, GENERALI faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eric J. Glover and Christopher M. Mattei.