Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association embezzler released on parole
A woman who embezzled more than $900,000 from the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association while working as the organization’s bookkeeper was released on parole Tuesday after serving six months in prison.
Kimberly Kay Knight, 47, of Chelsea was sentenced July 26 to a minimum of two years and maximum of 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in Washtenaw County Court to two counts of embezzlement.
Kimberly Knight in her Michigan Department of Corrections photo.
Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Melinda Morris had given Knight an opportunity to stay out of prison if she abided by an agreement that required her to make monthly restitution payments with various conditions.
However, Knight was ultimately sentenced to prison after she missed a deadline to produce documents for the court, including 2009 tax returns for her husband's business, Grant's Towing. Knight spent much of her sentence in a prison boot camp program.
According to court records, Knight used her position to steal more than $934,000 between 2005 and 2007 from a fund the hockey league established to build an independent ice rink. Pittsfield Township police say Knight used the money for family vacations, jewelry and vehicles. Knight filed for bankruptcy in May.
Washtenaw County Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecutor Steve Hiller said Knight still must pay restitution in the case. Court records show Knight owes $585,504 in restitution to AAAHA and $50,000 to the organization's insurance company.
A lawsuit AAAHA filed against Knight is still pending, said Knight's attorney, Michael LeGris.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
denise1inaa
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 5:45 p.m.
Why did she not comply with the court's order to submit 2009 tax records for her husband's business Grants Towing? It ultimately sent her to jail. I dare say the husband enjoyed the fruit of her labor (theft).
actionjackson
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
Is this like a daylight savings time, Prison sentences sure don't mean much anymore. I, myself wouldn't want to spend even 6 months but then again I can't see myself defrauding someone that has my trust with their money. What does make sense is that the State of Michigan isn't paying for her keep now. Hopefully all assets will be collected that are currently in her name and any joint ventures such as Cadillac Escalades, Snowmobiles, Jewelry, etc......
scooter dog
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
If I am not mistaken another judge has ruled that her filing for bankruptcy has no bearing on her debt to the AAAHA. She and her family has assets they can seize. As for her light sentence and faint time behind bars,this is washtenaw county,what did you expect,?. In the koernke case he did 4 out of 5 years because he ran from the feds so the feds always make there cons do the max. ALL,ALL the judges run unopposed at election time so unless someone steps up to the plate and cracks down on the felons,it going to be business as usuall in the courts of this county
rayjay
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 12:55 p.m.
Judge Melinda Morris strikes again. She has a history of being soft on criminals.
heresmine
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 9:56 a.m.
There's a piece missing here. Why was she released after only 6 months? These stories always seem to be incomplete.
Roadman
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 3:01 a.m.
This parole is an absolute joke. So was the sentence. You see people getting substantial prison terms for not paying child support or driving on a suspended license and to think this woman pled guilty to taking almost one miilion dollars from some poor young amateur hockey players. Political activist Mark Koernke was given six years in prison by Judge Melinda Morris and served five actually years for running away from a cop. No one was hurt. To think this woman files for bankruptcy and apparently has no intent on paying her victims is reprehensible - did the parole board question her on this? This case shows why the legal system is a joke and that it pays to steal because the court system will do nothing.
scooter dog
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.
Melinda Morris is famous for handing down slap on the wrist sentences. You/we could vote her out next election bet she runs unopposed,so we are stuck with her.
magnumpi
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 1:52 a.m.
yes, definitely infamous, especially with drunk drivers.
Art Vandelay
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.
As I recall Melinda Morris was the judge on this. Please vote her out of office. Stealing over $900,000 and getting only six months in "prison" is the crime here.
Roadman
Fri, Jan 28, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.
There is no need to vote her out. Her term ends 12/31/2011 and she will be over 70 years old an ineligible to run for another term. A new judge will take over her seat. There are rumors she may retire before then so the Governor may choose her succesor rather than voters.
bob
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
"$1M will take more than an average lifetime to pay back but how an organization can not notice it missing is actually worse and deserves some thought." That's right...blame the victim. She was the BOOKKEEPER....in charge of keeping the books. Got news for you..there are lots of non-profits out there that don't have strong accounting controls. And regarding your comment that it will take a lifetime to pay back...she spent the money in FAR less time then that. She stole from KIDS...how damn LOW can you go.
Soothslayer
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 11:57 p.m.
bob, I'm not saying she doesn't have to pay it back because she should but she won't ever pay back anywhere near that amount unless she hits the lotto (which would be nice if it was for 1mil take home). Organizations, just like any company, should have an outside financial firm provide annual tax prep & auditing services. There's no way one mil could simply dissapear if someone (else) spent an hour looking at the records. Trust is fine and we should trust each other, just always double check when there's an opportunity for abuse. Hopefully organizations will learn something from this.
Soothslayer
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
The jails are overcrowded and since she's not a violent offender they let her go. Also there's considerable taxpayer expense involved with incarceration and society has already lost enough on this one. $1M will take more than an average lifetime to pay back but how an organization can not notice it missing is actually worse and deserves some thought. Guess they have too much money already and couldn't be bothered to audit themselves or ensure they are within budget.
Soothslayer
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
They WERE burglarized for nearly a mil and apparently have so much money they didn't even notice!
AnnArBo
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
That's right Andy, blame the victim of crime, I would like to know what you tell rape victims or burglary victims who leave a door unlocked.
Cash
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.
I totally agree, Andy. Are we afraid of her? Heck no. We're just mad at her. Well, I'm over it. Because I'm not willing to pay to keep every person who breaks the law in a cage....save it for the ones we are afraid of.
Elaine F. Owsley
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
What possible reason does Judge Morse give for letting this woman off with barely a slap on the wrist? I know the judge has a reputation for being lenient, but this is a gift; a reward for breaking the law, betraying the trust of your friends and employers; thumbing your nose at decent behavior and I don't know what all. Please someone get the judge to explain her actions.
jcj
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
"Kimberly Kay Knight, 47, of Chelsea was sentenced July 26 to a minimum of two years and maximum of 15 years in prison" I know this happens all the time but why don't they just call it a minimum of 6 months? I remember when 2 years was 24 months. But that was before this new math started making the rounds.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.
Does this parole mean she cannot do any more jail time for refusing to make restitution payments? In other words, is six months in a camp the only penalty for stealing $1 million? If so, sign me up.
A2
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
It's crazy! She and her husband should both be made to sell everything they have, including their businesses, to help repay "their" debt!! If I was them I'd move the H out of this area. I'd be so ashamed and humiliated I wouldn't be able to show my face. Shame on them both!!!
RJA
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
What a mess! Hope she isn't lucky enough to win the lotto. I don't see how she can pay up. No more bookeeping jobs for her.
janejane
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
Imagine....stealing almost $1,000,000 from children, families and the community while quite a few are tightening their belts and doing their part to help others ...oh, vacations, toys? I seeeeee.....then filing bankruptcy?!!! What a stellar human being. Shame on her. She gives women a bad name...what a repugnant situation, example for our children and heartache for the hockey association. She should get the boot while going to jail.
golfer
Thu, Jan 27, 2011 : 7:24 p.m.
hope the monthly payments are high enough. good luck on getting it back.