Former youth football league director William Spencer received 10 years of probation on Friday in Washington County Court after admitting he diverted more than $230,000 in league funds to personal accounts.
The 57-year-old from Washington pleaded guilty to felony theft by unlawful taking, alongside misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property and misapplication of entrusted property, according to an investigation by the PA Office of Attorney General. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the sentence, which requires Spencer to serve his first six months on house arrest and make monthly restitution payments.
Spencer Must Pay $200,939 in Restitution
Spencer paid $30,000 upfront toward the restitution total, leaving a balance of $200,939. Court terms mandate that he pay at least $1,500 per month to cover the remaining debt owed to the athletic organization.
Investigators discovered that Spencer used the diverted money between 2020 and 2025 to pay credit card bills, fund a retirement account, and make purchases at Amazon, restaurants, and other retailers. The scheme involved 187 checks written to himself from league accounts during his final five years as director.
“This defendant violated the trust of the families, volunteers, and community members who donated and supported the league — which he left decimated financially,” Attorney General Sunday told the PA Office of Attorney General.
Impact on the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League
Spencer led the organization—originally named the Washington/Greene Youth Football League and now operating as the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League (WPYFL)—from 2013 until his resignation in March 2025.
“Time and time again, he stole from league coffers, harming the young athletes, coaches and other program supporters with every dollar he took,” Sunday told the PA Office of Attorney General.
Senior Deputy Attorney General prosecuted the case in Washington County Court, concluding the state-level probe into the multi-year fund misappropriation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
