Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association embezzler drops motion fighting restitution
A Chelsea woman who stole nearly $1 million from the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association is no longer contesting the restitution amount a judge ordered her pay to stay out of jail.
Court records show Kimberly Knight dropped her motion challenging the $700,000 she was required to pay back to the association upon pleading guilty to felony embezzlement charges in June.
An evidentiary hearing was scheduled earlier this month, but was canceled when Knight officially waived her right to challenge restitution in court, said her attorney, Mike LeGris.
Kimberly Knight
Knight claimed in court documents that roughly $83,000 of the restitution amount was charged to her in error because it was for accounting fees and fines imposed on the organization by the Internal Revenue Service for failing to file timely tax returns.
The IRS waived the fees against the organization in October, LeGris said. Knight will also pay $50,000 of the restitution to AAAHA’s insurance carrier, but only after the organization recoups its money.
Knight, 45, took more than $934,000 from AAAHA while acting as its bookkeeper over several years, according to police reports.
The fund she raided was intended for construction of an independent hockey rink for the organization, which currently leases office space and ice time from the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Pittsfield Township.
A lengthy investigation by the Pittsfield Township Police Department showed Knight used the money to shower herself and family members with gifts, including lavish jewelry and exotic vacations.
Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Melinda Morris sentenced Knight in September to one year in jail followed by probation. However, Morris opted to defer sentencing for one year, allowing Knight more time to pay back as much of the money as possible.
Knight paid $75,000 to the court at sentencing, and has made the monthly $1,500 minimum payment Morris ordered in installments of $500, court records show. At the time, she indicated she was working for her husband’s towing company.
“She’s making the payments and doing well, and I’m hopeful that will continue to happen,” LeGris said.
Hockey organization officials were consulting with attorneys about possible civil litigation at the time of Knight’s sentencing, but no suit has yet been filed in Washtenaw County.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Original Ann Arborite
Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 2:34 p.m.
I do know one thing, I applied for a scholarship for my son to participate in the AAAHA (2007-2008)-had all the paperwork in early and they told me there wasn't any money-um just sayin...
townie54
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 11:46 p.m.
Well lets see,900,000 divided by 24 months.About 37,500 a month average.Yea your right,no husband would notice that paltry sum and all the things it bought.And Steve Fisher didn't know anything about Ed Martin either.
scooter dog
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 3:44 p.m.
If the AAAHA had taken a hands on approach to there associations finances and accounts they would still have there money.They need to share in 75% of the blame for the lost funds.I have been in business for 25 yrs and I trust everyone I employ but I have my hand in everything that goes on in the day to day running of my business.I check ALL aspects of my business and anything fishy I look at in depth.In todays world you do not give someone who volenteers to help you out, access to any,any, amounts of money without qustions being asked and answered.I agree she needs to be jailed and pay for her actions and will probably never have to pay it all back with the local judges we have now,but she is not the only one at fault here.Like ownrdgd said,it went on for 2 yrs and no one asked questions,please,how absured
Louhi
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 3:28 p.m.
Robert Halford: Common sense would say to do a little research before coming to a common conclusion. If you researched the story, you would find that she had accounts set in her name (maiden) at the same bank the hockey association used.Which is not the same bank her husband and her used for household finances. You will also find that she stole money over a period of time. It did not magically appear in a joint bank account over night. You will also find that her husband, Jon, was not considered a suspect in this investigation. The reason he was not considered a suspect is due to family dynamics you are unaware of. Common sense would tell me not to judge a person by what another member of the family has done...right or wrong. I'm sure you wouldn't want your reputation tarnished by something your spouse did...right? Basic Bob: We can agree that honest, everyday folks don't steal from youth hockey associations. We can also agree not to judge everyone based on the actions of one....It's Basic, Common Sense....Right?
Basic Bob
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 2:43 p.m.
I think we can agree that honest everyday folks don't steal a million dollars from youth hockey. Really honest folks ask questions when a family member produces this much cash from midair.
ownrdgd
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 2:35 p.m.
She is not in jail because melinda morris the ( I'll give you probation) judge said so.You have to kill someone in this county to get thrown in jail and the law brakers know it.I find it very hard to fathom that her husband did not know what was going on.And while were at it. The AAAHA needs to share in part of the blame.You do not turn over access to your funds without having 2or3 other people to oversee the money transactions.She may have been a good friend of the AAAHA but they dropped the ball by not checking up on their accounts.2 yrs this went on,Please,give me a brake,I don't buy it.Like the old saying goes.Friends are friends but business is business.I'll bet they have restraints on there accounts now.
Louhi
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 11:02 a.m.
Tater: I completely agree with you. Robert Halford: Do you know the family? Are you familiar with their personal affairs? Since you don't, I would recommend that you take the time to meet them, especially Jon, the husband...and his children...and his mother. They are honest, friendly, everyday folks. But, it would ruin your mystery/conspiracy novel...so maybe it would be better if you keep what you have already painted in your head...
nancyf
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
The issue, going forward, is will she fulfill her restitution obligation. Knight may be taking lessons from Kwame, and it's looking like he won't have to pay up.
dougfroma2
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 7:36 a.m.
This is an older story. But what about the officials for the hockey club? $934,000? Did anyone look at cancelled checks? What about the bank officer on the account? Have these people been replaced? It is unfortunate that our children and society suffer from the lapses of a few adults...
magman
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 9:51 p.m.
This women stole 1 million dolars. I'd like to know why she isn't in jail RIGHT NOW!!!! I don't know who she knows but this should outrage anyone who reads it
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 9:48 p.m.
What a wonderful deal - she got a zero-interest loan from the hockey association. This is such a positive message for wannabe embezzlers everywhere. I can't think of a single reason Morris should have given her such a sweetheart deal. Did anyone investigate whether there's a conflict of interest?
YouWhine
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 7:14 p.m.
How disturbing. This lowlife woman had the nerve to plead guilty to stealing from children THEN she wants to argue about how much she owes? This is yet another examploe of how useless Morris is on the bench. Suspend her sentence so she can pay? Fine, but the instant she started to appeal and delay, she should have thrown this fat slob in jail. And lastly, who REALLY believes that the husband wasn't in on this whole thing? Didn't she buy him a car and trips all over the place? Where did he think this money was coming from? What a joke.
11GOBLUE11
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 6:02 p.m.
http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/09/man_avoids_prison_for_second_t.html Classic reading for any fans of Melinda Morris.
doa1977
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 5:22 p.m.
Just a slap on the wrist,when are the courts going to do more,make it ten years and when people are think about doing this it will give them something more to think about,but a criminal laughs at that sentenence.AAHA should file civil suit.I played in the AAHA for years,my sons,nephews,etc.this is just not good enough.
Deb Anderson
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 5:09 p.m.
Embezzlers make a conscious decision to not only steal, they plan on it for the long run and feel they'll somehow get away with it. People trusted them while they robbed them blind. There really needs to be harsher sentences put on them, I'm all for public humiliation in the village square. I'm so tired of her tears. They aren't tears of remorse, they are merely tears of getting caught. And her family had to have some inkling that something was amiss and are abetters. Money doesn't grow on trees, it came from somewhere and how did her husband not know, especially at tax time? C'mon! He's as guilty as she is.
a2dan
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 4:31 p.m.
At $1500 a month it will take over 34 years to pay back the remaining $625,000!