Former Pop Warner Director for NJ, NY Admits Stealing Thousands from Group

Written by Denise DiStephen

The former regional director of the Eastern Region of Pop Warner Little Scholars Inc. (Pop Warner) admitted stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization and using the funds for his personal benefit, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. 

David Marshall, of Jackson, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano in Trenton federal court on Monday to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud, according to a prepared statement from the US Attorney's office. 

Marshall was in charge of the Pop Warner's Eastern region which includes New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Washington D.C. Pop Warner, based in Pennsylvania, runs football and cheerleading programs for children of varying ages throughout the region.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court, as outlined in the prepared statement: 

"Between 2005 and 2011, Marshall performed work for Pop Warner on a voluntary basis and held various positions. From 2006 through 2011, Marshall was the regional director for the Eastern Region of Pop Warner. 

He was responsible for handling the finances of the Eastern Region and had access to its bank and credit card accounts. Marshall used his authority to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from Pop Warner. 

He improperly used funds from Pop Warner bank accounts to pay off personal debts and make cash withdrawals. Marshall also used a Pop Warner credit card to purchase personal items and other things unrelated to Pop Warner. 

The wire fraud count to which Marshall pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of the plea, Marshall agreed to pay restitution to the victim of the offense in an amount that will be determined at sentencing, which is scheduled for June 25, 2014. 

For more information, see attached federal court document detailing guilty plea.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas P. Grippo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton. 

Defense counsel for Marshall is Brian P. Reilly Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton.