Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 40-year-old Peter J. Pavlovich of East Amherst pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor).

The defendant admitted to stealing approximately $15,000 while serving as a baseball coach for the Town of Clarence Baseball Association. Between June 2017 and June 2020, the defendant made numerous unauthorized ATM withdrawals and deposited some player registration fees into his personal bank account.

The theft was discovered following complaints by parents about team finances and suspicious team accountings filed with the Clarence Baseball Association. The defendant subsequently admitted to the crime when questioned by members of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office during the investigation.

As part of his guilty plea today, Pavlovich paid full restitution to the Clarence Baseball Association.

Pavlovich faces a maximum of one year in jail when he is sentenced on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.

DA Flynn commends Detective Daniel Brinkerhoff of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for his work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau.