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Ex-NY soccer official admits running Ponzi scheme

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) A former president of a suburban New York youth soccer cub has pleaded guilty to running a $5 million Ponzi scheme.

Federal prosecutors say Robert Rocco pleaded guilty Tuesday on Long Island to wire fraud. He faces up to 20 years in prison. He also faces a fine of more than $250,000 and must pay $3.4 million in restitution.

A sentencing date has yet to be determined.

Rocco is the former head of the Dix Hills Soccer Club.

Prosecutors say he solicited $5 million from club members, volunteers, friends and neighbors between 2006 and 2013. The money was never invested as he had promised.

Prosecutors say Rocco solicited money from new investors to make small monthly payments to earlier investors to avoid being detected.

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