President of CNY youth soccer club charged with stealing over $50,000 from the organization

Cicero, NY – The president and coach of a Central New York youth soccer club have been charged with stealing more than $50,000 from the group, police said.

Paul R. Palucci, 36, was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsification of business records after allegedly using his soccer club’s accounts to make fraudulent charges, according to a state police news release.

Palucci is the president of CNY Premier Soccer Club Inc., based in Cicero, police said. He is also listed as a coach on the club’s website.

According to its website, the club offers courses for children of all ages. It also organizes recreational soccer teams for boys and girls of all skill levels.

The investigation into Palucci began in January 2023 after police were informed of missing money and paying members learned the group was bankrupt, officials said.

Investigators found that Palucci had used the group’s accounts to make more than $50,000 in fraudulent withdrawals, officials said. He also changed the club’s bylaws for his own benefit, they said.

According to the police, false entries were also made in the club’s business records.

In 2021, Palucci received $8,200 as president of the club, tax records show.

Palucci was arraigned in Syracuse and released without bail, police said.

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