Two San Diego-area men have admitted in court to running a fake charity that siphoned off millions of dollars. This is in concession proceeds intended to support youth softball at Petco Park and Snapdragon Stadium.
Duo pockets millions from fake charity operating at San Diego stadiums
According to NBC Sandiego News, Noly Hermoso Ilarde, 57, of San Diego, and Martin Jose Rebollo Jr., 58, of Chula Vista, pleaded guilty to federal charges. This follows an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which announced the pleas on Wednesday.
Prosecutors said the pair operated under the guise of “Chula Vista Fast Pitch,” a purported non-profit that secured contracts to sell concessions. Under the agreements, approximately 10 per cent of all sales from their stands were earmarked for the charity to fund youth softball activities.
However, investigators revealed that the charity did not exist. Instead of supporting young athletes, Ilarde and Rebollo pocketed the bulk of the proceeds.
Although, some of the funds were used to pay workers who staffed the concession booths. Authorities stated that not a single dollar went to youth softball programs or any other charitable cause.
Media reports first exposed scheme involving a dissolved 2014 charity
Voice of San Diego, first reported on the scheme involving Chula Vista Fast Pitch in 2023. It noted that a legitimate charity with a nearly identical name once operated but dissolved a decade ago, in 2014.
Court documents outline the scale of the fraud. According to Ilarde’s plea agreement, the fake charity received approximately $3.5 million from Delaware North.
“It also collected over $250,000 from Aztec Shops, the non-profit entity managing concessions at Snapdragon Stadium,” the plea agreement reveals.
Meanwhile, Ilarde admitted to personally gaining $550,000 from the fraudulent operation. Rebollo conceded he made more than $1.5 million.
Ilarde pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Rebollo, who pleaded guilty to the same charge in December, also admitted to filing a false tax return as well as to social security fraud.
In 2025, the residents in Guisborough, North East England, were advised to be on high alert following reports of a fraudulent charity collector. This charity is impersonating a fundraiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).