UMATILLA, Florida—The former president of Umatilla Babe Ruth Inc. has been arrested for stealing nearly $35,000 from the organization to fund his gambling habit, according to a probable cause affidavit.
John Joseph Farley-Gleixner, 36, of Umatilla turned himself in Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest following an investigation by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective who began investigating after receiving a theft complaint from a representative of Umatilla Babe Ruth Inc., according to the affidavit.
The investigation found that Farley-Gleixner began misappropriating funds in May 2022 and continued for six months until a check bounced, revealing his indiscretions, a source told Inside Lake. The thefts were discovered in mid-November when the organization bounced a check for uniforms to a Mount Dora business, according to the source.
Farley-Gleixner was removed as president at an emergency meeting following the discovery of the thefts and the organization released a statement that included in part, “While this situation has placed a stain on the Umatilla Babe Ruth Organization, we can and will overcome this.” The theft caused unrest in the Umatilla Babe Ruth Inc. organization and numerous parents reached out to Inside Lake.
Farley-Gleixner, who was the sole debit card holder for the organization’s bank account, used the card to repeatedly withdraw money from various ATMs at internet gambling establishments, commonly known as “fish games,” in addition to using withdrawal slips and a United Southern Bank ATM to obtain cash, totaling $34,917.75, the detective noted. The ATM camera at United Southern Bank captured Farley-Gleixner on video completing transactions, according to the affidavit.
Farley-Gleixner advised he has a gambling problem, and he is “seeking help for it at this time,” and he told LCSO he was the only one responsible for the thefts. A warrant was issued for Farley-Gleixner’s arrest for grand theft Tuesday, and he turned himself in at the Lake County Jail just before noon Wednesday. He was released on $5,000 bond.
