Penalty?

Jan. 13, 2011

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

Lawrence County’s district attorney has asked the state Attorney General’s Office to prosecute New Castle High’s head football coach.

Joshua Lamancusa said a state police investigation found alleged improper activity regarding Frank Bongivengo Jr.’s handling of the city youth football league’s finances.

“I’ve reviewed the content,” he said. “(State police) basically uncovered evidence that’s best handled by the criminal justice system.”

Lamancusa declined to discuss the elements of the case.

“It’s still a criminal investigation, and I’m bound by that,” he said. “I think (the state will) want to obtain additional information.”

Bongivengo requested and received control of the program in a 9-0 vote during a March 2008 school board meeting. The Tri-County Youth Football League had threatened to ban the city’s teams from participation unless they were under the district football program’s supervision, he said.

The squads feature students in grades three through six. The teams are not considered part of the district’s football program.

Bongivengo and his wife, Karen, handled league funds from March 2009 through July 2010. Frank Bongivengo Jr. was the primary signer on the football account. Now, a parents’ volunteer group oversees finances while Bongivengo supervises coaches in the program.

“I’ve reviewed all the records as well, along with the school board transcripts, and I don’t see anywhere where there’s any wrongdoing whatsoever,” said John Bongivengo, the coach’s attorney and a former district attorney.

John Bongivengo is a cousin of Frank Bongivengo Jr.

“The fact that it’s going to the Attorney General — I don’t think that changes anything as far as I’m concerned. If anything, he’s placed more money in that bank account than has ever been reimbursed to him.”

Frank Bongivengo Jr. also gained approval to operate Taggart Stadium concession stands, along with the district’s cheerleaders. He said the funds would be allocated for the youth and district programs.

New Castle provided an initial $23,000 contribution to buy equipment and pay vendors owed money from the former city league.

With the district attorney’s approval, state police obtained a search warrant June 25, 2010, for Frank and Karen Bongivengo Jr.’s personnel bank accounts at PNC Bank.

The warrant also focused on 12 airline tickets purchased for $3,146.40 in April 2009. They were paid from the youth football league’s account, the state police said.
During a July 2010 interview with the New Castle News, Frank Bongivengo said the transaction “was a simple, honest mistake that was rectified.”

The tickets were for a graduation trip to Florida that included Bongivengo’s son, Michael, and 11 classmates. The students gave Karen Bongivengo money for the trip. Expecting a price increase, she ordered the tickets.

“We received the confirmation from the airlines on April 13,” the coach said. “On the same day we realized we had given them the wrong numbers.

“It was simply a matter of grabbing the wrong card.”

Karen Bongivengo made two deposits totaling $2,470.70 into the football account April 13 after the transaction occurred. The money was returned in full by July 3.

“The remaining monies came in from the kids that hadn’t paid (prior to April 13),” said Frank Bongivengo Jr., who was hired as head football coach in June 2005.