Deerfield Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing From Disabled Kids' Group

CHICAGO — A Deerfield man and former executive director of a Northfield-based nonprofit pled guilty Wednesday to one count of wire fraud — punishable by up to 20 years in prison— amid allegations he stole more than $800,000 from the organization.

Stuart Nitzkin, 45, admitted to fraudulently misappropriating at least $550,000 from the non-profit organization for physically and psychologically challenged children, according to federal prosecutors. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.

According to a plea agreement, Nitzkin worked as the executive director of the non-profit organization from 2011 to 2016. Although the organization was not named in the charging documents against Nitzkin, the organization he used to lead, American Friends Of Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, previously sued him over fraud allegations in Cook County in a since-resolved civil case, court records show.

During his time as executive director of the organization, Nitzkin submitted invoices and receipts for payment and reimbursement of expenses that he claimed were incurred on behalf of the organization, prosecutors said. Nitzkin actually knew the expenses were not incurred by American Friends Of Israel Sports Center for the Disabled but instead by Nitzkin himself, for his and others’ personal benefit, the plea agreement states.

The expenses Nitzkin submitted for reimbursement included luxury vacations for Nitzkin and his family to Las Vegas, Florida, Ireland, and Puerto Rico, personal golfing expenses, tickets to Chicago Bulls basketball games and other professional sporting events, personal medical expenses, real estate taxes for his family residence, health club dues, household goods, meals and car maintenance, according to prosecutors.

Nitzkin is also accused of pocketing cash from fundraising events held on behalf of the organization and using the money for personal expenses.

While Nitkin admitted in the plea agreement he fraudulently misappropriated at least $550,000 from the organization, prosecutors have charged, and intend to prove at sentencing, that he misappropriated approximately $831,400.

American Friends Of Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, founded in 1960, is "one of the world pioneers in the field of sport rehabilitation," according to its website. The company's U.S. headquarters are located in Northfield and the organization characterizes itself as a "home away from home to around 2,500 Israelis of all ages."

Nitzkin's LinkedIn profile states that he has worked as the chief executive officer of MVP Staffing, where he has worked since 2016, according to his profile. The profile shows no work history prior to 2016.

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