Ex-youth football director sentenced for $230K embezzlement

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 02:38 · Archive

William Spencer, former director of Pennsylvania's largest youth football league, was sentenced to ten years of probation for embezzling about $230,000.

William Spencer, 57, of Washington, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to ten years of probation for embezzling approximately $230,000 from the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League, which he led as executive director from 2013 until his sudden resignation in March 2025.

During his final five years in the role, Spencer fraudulently wrote 187 cheques payable to himself from league accounts. According to Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday, the stolen funds were used to pay personal bills, make payments on a Honda SUV, and fund a bathroom remodeling project. Between January 2020 and February 2025, Spencer also funded credit cards, added money to a retirement account, and made purchases at Amazon, restaurants and other retailers. He made direct payments totalling more than $3,000 from league accounts to accounts in his and his wife's names without authorisation.

The Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League comprised 44 organisations and 140 teams across seven counties. In early March 2025, a former executive board member raised concerns about the league's insurance policy and banking arrangements. At an emergency meeting, representatives learned the bank account had no named treasurer, violating league bylaws. Washington Financial Bank subsequently locked the account on suspicion of fraudulent activity.

Following Spencer's resignation and the discovery of the fraud, more than a dozen teams departed the league to establish independent organisations. A group of five teams from Westmoreland County were among those that left. Attorney General Sunday announced the sentencing and announced that Spencer was ordered to pay restitution.

How it is being reported

• Former director of Washington youth football league sentenced for defrauding moneyPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 14 Nov, 20:53
• Former Pa. youth football director sentenced for stealing $230K from leagueHe was sentenced and ordered to pay restitution.PennLive · 14 Nov, 20:18
• Ex-youth football director sentenced to probation after embezzling about $230KThe former longtime director of the largest youth football league in Pennsylvania was sentenced to a decade of probation after he embezzled about $230,000 from the league, the state Attorney General’s Office announced Friday.TribLIVE · 14 Nov, 14:56

In this story: William Spencer · Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League · Pennsylvania · Washington · Dave Sunday

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