"The former rear commodore of the Ballena Bay Yacht Club is facing criminal charges for allegedly using false information to acquire a $224,276.43 federal grant and then spending a significant amount on himself, court records show. Nicholas Stellato, 53, is facing charges of grand theft, making a false statement on a financial form and money laundering, according to court records."
"He was charged in 2020, in a still-pending case, of stealing from an AIDS charity in Pennsylvania in 2015-2016, according to court records. Board members told police that Stellato was initially a welcome addition to the small yacht club, in part because he is 6-feet 7-inches tall and could help move heavy objects for events. They made him rear commodore in 2018."
"In May 2021, Stellato allegedly filed a grant application, falsely claiming that the club qualified as a restaurant or bar, and receiving $224,276.43, records show. Stellato then allegedly transferred $175,000 of the money to his own internet services company that he ostensibly started to help club members get better internet speeds during the pandemic, authorities said. The yacht club is a nonprofit and shouldn't have been eligible for a restaura"
Nicholas Stellato, 53, faces charges of grand theft, making a false statement on a financial form, and money laundering tied to a $224,276.43 federal grant. He is due for a Feb. 27 preliminary hearing and remains out of custody. Stellato was previously charged in 2020 in a pending case alleging theft from an AIDS charity in Pennsylvania during 2015–2016. Club members made him rear commodore in 2018, removed him in 2019 amid suspicions of about $20,000 in embezzlement, and reinstated him to the board in 2021. In May 2021 he allegedly filed a grant application claiming the club qualified as a restaurant or bar, received $224,276.43, and transferred $175,000 to an internet services company he started ostensibly to improve members' internet during the pandemic. The yacht club is a nonprofit and would not be eligible under a restaurant designation.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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