Woman charged with stealing $100,000 from youth soccer organization

PITTSBURGH — A local woman pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of wire fraud in connection with allegedly stealing from a youth soccer organization.

According to court documents, Jenessa Tolejko, 35, was serving as the treasurer of the Brighton Township-Beaver Soccer Association, a volunteer-run youth soccer organization. She allegedly used $100,000 of the group’s money for personal expenditures, including a cruise, other travel, Amazon and LuLaRoe, purchases and bills.

Tolejko faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

The BTBSA sent Channel 11 a statement:

“In the nearly two years since we had first learned what had happened, a dedicated group of volunteers has worked hard to maintain a place where our BTBSA families can learn, practice and play the game of soccer now and many years into the future. We are looking forward to putting this unfortunate episode behind us.”

>>>RELATED: Woman accused of stealing money meant for animal rescue

This isn’t the first time Tolejko scammed a local group. In 2019, police said she took money meant for a Hempfield Township animal rescue while volunteering. She allegedly forged checks and pocketed more than $3,200 from puppies she fostered.

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