NEPTUNE – A Township man has been sentenced to five years probation after stealing thousands of dollars from a youth softball team that he coached, officials said.
Michael Lane, 54, was sentenced on October 14 to five years of probation. Additionally, he was also ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution to be split among ten families whose daughters played on the team.
Lane previously pled guilty to third-degree Theft by Failure to Make Lawful Disposition of Property, following an investigation by detectives from the Tinton Falls Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Since 2013, Lane was the coach for the Monmouth Surf softball team which is a youth sports travel team. Lane was in charge of receiving money from players to cover traveling expenses and tournament costs.
However, on July 3, 2019, parents for the players were informed by Lane that he misused the funds given to him and the money was no longer available.
According to authorities, Lane told the parents he would pay back the funds but the players’ participation would have to be cancelled. When the money was not paid back, parents reported the crime.
An investigation began by the Tinton Falls Police Department, with assistance from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, where authorities discovered that Lane cashed the checks he received from the parents and used the money for personal expenses.
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