Hoboken Director Who Stole Soccer Funds Gets Jail Sentence: Prosecutors

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken's former longtime human services director — who briefly ran for council after he resigned from the city in 2023 — was sentenced to two years in prison for embezzling recreation funds this week.

Pantaleo “Leo” Pellegrini, who had served as both director of health and human services and director of the Department of Environmental Services, was sentenced for embezzling approximately $223,400 and for filing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said Tuesday.

Pellegrini had already pleaded guilty last year to embezzlement and filing a false tax return.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Pellegrini had diverted approximately $223,500 in payments intended for the city of Hoboken to bank accounts he controlled. He also submitted approximately $234,432 in personal expenses, which the city paid.

And he "did not report the embezzled money on his personal tax returns," prosecutors noted.

Prosecutors said that Pellegrini developed a scheme to divert the Hoboken Adult Soccer League’s participant fees to his own soccer business instead of to the city. The city also "unknowingly" paid tens of thousands of dollars to the Pellegrini’s private soccer club vendors, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors noted, "Pellegrini used the embezzled funds on personal expenses including meals, entertainment, and gambling, allowing him to live far beyond his means."

In addition to the prison term, Judge Farbiarz ordered restitution of $439,972.60 to the City of Hoboken, restitution of $119,464 to the Internal Revenue Service, and forfeiture of $439,972.60.

The judge also ordered a term of supervised release.

Pellegrini worked for the city from 2009 through early 2023.

At some point, two candidates running against Mayor Ravi Bhalla said Pellegrini shouldn't be overseeing two important departments at once. His duties were eventually divided up, with a new director taking over recreation duties in 2022.

Mayor Responds

Mayor Bhalla said Tuesday, "I thank and commend everyone involved in ensuring that justice was served. This sentence sends a clear and uncompromising message: no government employee is above the law."

He added, "In Hoboken, if you steal from the public, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent possible. While some may feel the punishment could have gone even further, let there be no doubt that this is a serious warning to anyone who thinks they can abuse the public's trust.”

In 2024, Pelligrini had filed a civil lawsuit against the Bhalla administration for discrimination. It was dismissed after Pellegrini pleaded guilty.

READ MORE: Ex-Director Pocketed Funds For City Programs: Feds