Former head of New Kensington's Spartaco club charged with stealing cash, property deed
The former president of the Spartaco Sporting Club is facing charges after, New Kensington police say, he stole assets from the organization to settle a debt he believes he’s owed.
Glenn Hofer, 82, of New Kensington was charged Tuesday with theft, burglary, forgery and tampering with a public record.
Hofer was president of the private club until September, according to a criminal complaint. His successor, Bruce Saellam, contacted police July 31 after noticing items were missing from the club’s office, including alcohol, tax records and members’ documents.
Saellam also reported $4,000 in cash had been taken from a hiding spot only club board members knew about, the complaint states.
Police said it appears Hofer broke into the club, along the 2200 block of Constitution Boulevard in New Kensington, in July and took the items.
The investigation also revealed the property deed to the club was transferred to Hofer on June 10, despite his no longer being a member, according to the complaint.
In an Aug. 6 interview with the attorney who executed the deed transfer, police were told Hofer claimed he was the only member of the club, the complaint said.
Westmoreland County online deed records show Hofer paid $1 for the property, which the county estimated was worth more than $182,000.
Officers also spoke with Hofer at his home Aug. 6, the complaint continues, where he justified the deed transfer by claiming the club owes him more than $173,000.
He also allegedly admitted to taking paperwork as well as bottles of alcohol, but denied stealing the cash.
Hofer did not have an attorney listed in court documents. An attempt to reach him Wednesday was unsuccessful. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing.
The club was founded in 1929 and has long been a hub of Italian tradition in the New Kensington and Arnold communities.
It also was the subject of an illegal gambling investigation in 2016 and 2017 that culminated in the arrests of nine members.
Jack Troy is a TribLive reporter covering business and health care. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. He can be reached at
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