BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A former commander of a northwestern Arkansas American Legion post has pleaded guilty to charges related to the theft of more than $100,000 from the group.
“We just couldn’t believe that a veteran in our own group had taken that kind of money.” said new post treasurer Raymond Brust.
The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that 53-year-old Marvin Akers of Rogers pleaded guilty Thursday (Nov. 9) to a theft of property charge and was sentenced to 10 years of probation as part of a plea deal.
Akers was commander of the American Legion’s Riddle-Hutcheson Post 77 when he and post treasurer Kim Emerson were charged with together stealing money from the post.
New post commander Bob Rambin is hoping a new coat of paint and new headquarters at the Center for Non-Profits in Rogers will help restore the post to its original luster. “I want the community, our neighbors and fellow veterans and even the youth to know that we’re here to make a difference.”
Emerson pleaded guilty Monday to the same charge and was also sentenced probation.
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Information from: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.nwaonline.com
