NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A 59-year-old Manhattan man who was the treasurer of a Queens bowling league was charged with stealing team funds and spending it at casinos, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
“As alleged, the defendant took advantage of not only his position in the league, but of a global pandemic to line his pockets with funds reserved for official league activities,” Katz said. “The defendant has been apprehended and faces serious charges.”
During the 2019-2020 season, Robert Vickers, of Midtown, acted as the treasurer and secretary of the “Ted Guy Memorial” League, which bowls at JIB Lanes on Parsons Boulevard in Flushing.
Vickers was responsible for collecting weekly dues from the league, which was made up of 120 members. The dues covered a prize fund and bowling expenses, officials said.
As part of his role, Vickers was tasked with depositing the dues into a bank account under the league’s name and then dispersing the prize money to members at the close of the season.
In March 2020, the pandemic forced the season to end early. Team captains voted to pay out the prize money based on the team and individual standings for the first half of the season and to return dues that had been paid in advance of the unplayed games. In the more than two years since, Vickers has yet to pay out the team members and claimed his account was frozen, according to court documents.
Vickers allegedly used the league funds to make expensive purchases and gamble the funds at casinos in NYC and Atlantic City.
Prosecutors charged Vickers with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, scheme to defraud and petit larceny. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison. Vickers is due back in court on Dec. 13.
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