North Manatee Soccer Club allegedly loses over $146K to former treasurer’s personal expenses

BRADENTON, Fla. - A former North Manatee Munity Soccer Club treasurer faces a first-degree felony charge after investigators found she allegedly stole over $146,000 in club funds to buy jewelry, take a cruise, and fund personal travel, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Soccer club fraud investigation

What we know:

MCSO began investigating suspected financial fraud at the North Manatee Soccer Club on June 29. Detectives interviewed organization members and reviewed financial records, identifying 52-year-old Nancy Fetzner as the primary suspect.

A club volunteer reviewing financial statements discovered multiple transactions unrelated to soccer operations. Investigators said they found at least $8,000 in personal purchases, including trips to Las Vegas, Disney transactions, sporting event tickets, a cruise and jewelry.

Beginning in August 2023, Fetzner deposited more than $44,000 into a club subaccount using mobile deposits, according to the sheriff's office. She also transferred nearly $102,000 from the primary business account into the same subaccount to cover personal living and travel expenses, causing a total loss of over $146,000.

Deputies charged Fetzner with scheme to defraud $50,000 or more, and she was removed from her position as treasurer, a role she held from 2015 to 2026. Detectives noted that Fetzner eventually closed the account in an apparent attempt to cover her tracks. Club members told deputies that Fetzner's husband offered to write a $30,000 check to make the charges disappear. Fetzner has since bonded out of jail.

Stolen soccer funds recovery

What we don't know:

Authorities have not specified if any of the stolen funds have been recovered, though the sheriff's office is actively working to retrieve money for the soccer club. It remains unclear if any legal action will involve Fetzner's husband following his offer to pay back a portion of the missing cash.

Club financial safeguards

What they're saying:

Following the investigation, the North Manatee Munity Soccer Club released a statement addressing the community and detailing their internal response:

Manatee County