Michael Fantuzzo Charged with Stealing Nearly $250,000 from Pa. Occupational Therapy Association
Authorities in Montgomery County have charged Michael Fantuzzo, 40, with theft by unlawful taking and theft by deception after he allegedly embezzled more than $246,000 from the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA). Fantuzzo, a resident of Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, served as the non-profit organization’s volunteer treasurer at the time of the alleged crimes.
According to the criminal complaint filed by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the theft occurred between May 2021 and September 2025. Investigators allege that Fantuzzo systematically depleted the association’s savings account to fund a lavish lifestyle. Specific expenditures cited in the charges include a family trip to Disney World, a vacation rental in North Carolina costing over $7,000, and a country club membership.
Prosecutors further allege that Fantuzzo used the association’s funds to pay for the installation of a $10,500 hot tub at his home, $2,000 in limousine services, and his personal property taxes. The complaint details that more than $128,000 was charged directly to the non-profit’s credit card for personal use, while another $100,000 was allegedly used to pay off debts on four of Fantuzzo’s personal credit cards and to fund transfers to his and his wife’s PayPal accounts.
The alleged financial misconduct came to light after a new board of directors was elected to lead the association in early 2025. Upon taking office, the new leadership discovered the organization was in severe financial distress, with its savings account balance reduced to zero and debts exceeding assets. This financial instability had reportedly forced the association to terminate important contracts due to an inability to pay.
The board confronted Fantuzzo regarding the discrepancies before involving law enforcement. According to the affidavit, Fantuzzo admitted to board members that he had used approximately $90,000 of the association’s funds for personal expenses but claimed the usage was “accidental.”
In addition to his role with POTA, Fantuzzo has been identified as the head varsity boys’ basketball coach at Burrell High School, a position he has held since 2019. School district officials have not yet commented on his employment status following the charges.
Fantuzzo was arraigned on Friday and released on $100,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 17. It is important to note that criminal charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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