Shelby Township man charged with embezzling youth baseball

team's funds
Contact: Mary Kay Bean 313-456-1344

Suspect allegedly went on Florida vacation, buys car, and pays cell phone bill
with funds
Detroit Following a joint investigation, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) and Michigan
Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced they have charged Joseph Wallace Wolf Jr., 51, of
Shelby Township, with five felony counts of embezzling $1,000 to less than $20,000 from a nonprofit organization. Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of either
$15,000 or triple the embezzled amount if greater than $15,000.
Wolf Jr. is accused of embezzling more than $20,000 of the Shelby Township-based youth baseball
charitys funds between 2012 and 2014 to buy a vehicle, travel to Florida, pay his mothers monthly
mobile telephone bills, make a house payment and pay personal vehicle repair bills for himself and
other family members.
The money Wolf Jr. allegedly embezzled was raised at millionaire parties, otherwise known as
charitable gaming events, for the Detroit Metro Stars youth baseball team. Millionaire parties allow
individuals to hold a limited number of casino style events on the behalf of a charity. Attendees are
able to pocket a small portion of their winnings, with the selected charity receiving the rest.
The MGCB audits charities to ensure they properly account for and lawfully spend funds raised
through millionaire parties, said MGCB Executive Director Richard Kalm. We will continue to see
embezzlement and other crimes unless we address weaknesses in the current Bingo Act that
authorizes charity gaming. Criminal and civil penalties for charities and operators are necessary.
Ensuring the integrity of these charitable gaming parties and bringing to justice those who misuse
these events for their own financial gain is something I strongly believe in, said Schuette. I want to
thank MGCB for their diligence in monitoring these types of events and we will continue to work
together in the future to protect organizations from greedy and self-serving individuals.
Detroit Metro Stars Baseball held 32 days of charity poker in 2012 and 2013 at The River, a Shelby
Township bar. Detroit Metro Stars Baseball will not be able to conduct charitable gaming until the
organization demonstrates to the MGCB it follows proper financial controls.
This year the MGCB also investigated two other Macomb County youth charities, the Clinton Valley
Little League in Clinton Township and Switzer Elementary PTO in Shelby Township, after principal
members of those organizations were charged with embezzlement of charity gaming proceeds.

On Aug. 4, 2015, Schuette filed the following charges against Joseph Wallace Wolf Jr., 51, of Shelby
Township in 41A District Court in Shelby Township, where he was arraigned Aug. 6 before Judge
Douglas P. Shepherd:

Five counts of Felony Embezzlement of $1,000 to less than $20,000 from a non-profit
organization. Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of either
$15,000 or triple the embezzled amount if greater than $15,000.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until
proven guilty.
Wolf Jr. was released on a $50,000 personal bond and is next due in 41A District Court on
Aug. 20 for a probable cause conference. A preliminary exam is scheduled Aug. 27.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to
protect the interests of the citizens of the State of Michigan.