Police: Golf tournament organizer steals $20,000 in proceeds

POINT PLEASANT, N.J. (WPVI) -- Authorities say a New Jersey man, who established a golf tournament in memory of his deceased friend, is accused of keeping the money that was raised.

44-year-old Michael Nelson, of Point Pleasant, is facing theft and tax charges.

Police say Nelson started the Limmer Open in 2000 to honor his friend James Limmer Kundrotas, who died in 1996.

Authorities say Nelson used over $20,000 in tournament profits for personal use.

The money raised through the tournament was to go towards a scholarship for a Holy Cross High School student and to The American Heart Association.

An investigation revealed that Nelson stopped funding the scholarship in 2009 and contributions were never made to the American Heart Association.

Nelson was taken into custody this week.