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Hernando banker accused of stealing from youth sports league

 
Published Sept. 17, 2015

SPRING HILL — A senior vice president at a CenterState Bank branch on Cortez Boulevard and treasurer of the Hernando Youth League is accused of stealing $143,878 from the youth sports league, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

David Donato, 58, of Brooksville faces a federal charge of bank fraud.

He oversaw the Hernando Youth League's bookkeeping and also worked in management at the bank where the league kept its money, according to federal prosecutors.

Between 2011 and 2015, he illegally took out five lines of credit and loans from the bank in the youth league's name, according to federal officials, without permission from its board.

He spent $98,420 of that money on personal expenses, such as his mortgage, credit card debt and cellphone and cable bills, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He also wrote checks to himself totaling $39,350, and wrote another $3,400 worth of checks for cash.

If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison. The U.S. government is also trying to get the money back from Donato. His attorney would not comment on the case.