FUSC Removes Treasurer After 'Significant Unauthorized Withdrawls'

Originally posted on March 7, 2015. Updated to fix a typo.

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Last month, the Framingham United Soccer Club Board of Directors became aware of significant unauthorized withdrawals from the club’s bank account, during the 2014 calendar year, focusing on transactions authorized by the Treasurer during that time frame, according to its current president.

The treasurer was removed in an emergency board meeting.

The Framingham United Soccer Club Board of Directors in investigating, and so now is the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit.

“The entire FUSC Board is stunned and deeply disappointed by these developments and moved to immediately gain control of this terrible situation” said Framingham United Soccer Club (FUSC) President Rob Kirkpatrick.

“FUSC is fully cooperating with the investigation so that the appropriate individual is held accountable for this incredible breach of trust in defrauding the FUSC community” said Kirkpatrick.

An emergency Framingham United Soccer Club Board meeting was held on February 16 for the immediate removal of the individual from the Board.

Alex Braverman (a long serving Framingham United Soccer Club volunteer and former President and treasurer of the Board, and current member of the Board of Trustees, and coach) is now serving as interim treasurer.

The Framingham United Soccer Club Board is implementing an action plan to recover from the theft, imposing new financial controls, consulting with a CPA firm to review its accounting procedures, and cooperating fully with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, said Kirkpatrick in a release.

Money held in the Framingham United Soccer Club account comes from registration dues and fundraising.

These financials are audited on an annual basis.

Over its 40 year history, FUSC has been responsible stewards providing quality soccer programs to many Framingham families (more than 1,200 children participated in its programs last year).

Major costs of operating the club include maintenance and repair of the Merchant Road Fields, soccer goals and equipment purchases, league and referee fees, coaching and player education, and scholarships for less privileged children, explained Kirkpatrick.

“While the breach resulted in substantial financial losses, Framingham United Soccer Club will persevere,” said Kirkpatrick, in a press release.

“As we enter our 40th year we will continue to provide a positive youth soccer experience for Framingham families without interruption. Despite these events, FUSC remains strong. We continue working with the soccer community and our partners and are committed to improving our organization further”, said Kirkpatrick.

Framingham United Soccer Club, FUSC, was established as a Massachusetts non-profit corporation on May 1st, 1975. Under the charter, the Club is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian organization whose purpose is to foster and assist the development of soccer and to promote and encourage social, civic, educational and athletic activities.

Framingham United Soccer Club is organized and run on a voluntary basis by dedicated people who have an interest in soccer, wish to promote the development of the sport, and want to provide a structured but enjoyable activity for its member players.

Framingham United Soccer Club offers regular fall and spring soccer programs to Framingham residents.