Portage County man charged with theft from VFW post
Lead Summary
By
Ohio Attorney General's Office-
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Aurora Chief of Police Brian Byard and Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin announced Tuesday the indictment and arrest of a Portage County man, who allegedly stole $714,376 from a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Dan Molnar, 74, is facing felony charges of aggravated theft (F-3), tampering with records (F-3) and money laundering (F-3). Molnar was taken into custody on Friday, Feb. 21.
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“Having only one set of eyes on your finances can leave an organization blindsided by fraud,” Yost said. “Fortunately, the great work by BCI’s forensic accountants and the Aurora PD caught up to this guy, who will now have to balance the books in front of the scales of justice.”
An investigation by the Aurora Police Department and the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation uncovered evidence that Molnar had complete control and access to the bank accounts of Aurora VFW Post 2629. Molnar allegedly used that access to defraud a lottery machine and write improper checks.
“Mr. Molnar was placed in a position of trust by the members of VFW Post 2629,” Chief Byard said. “Over the course of several years he violated that trust and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization and it’s hardworking members. For the past 18 months, the Aurora Police Department worked closely with the Attorney General’s Office in piecing this case together and will continue to work closely as the case progresses through the courts.”
Mayor Womer Benjamin said: “The VFW is a critical veterans organization in our community and was devastated by the theft of close to $700,000 from its operations in the last several years. The Aurora Police Department has been vigorously investigating the theft and I have no doubt that it will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The case is being prosecuted by the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office.??
Dan Molnar, 74, is facing felony charges of aggravated theft (F-3), tampering with records (F-3) and money laundering (F-3). Molnar was taken into custody on Friday, Feb. 21.
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“Having only one set of eyes on your finances can leave an organization blindsided by fraud,” Yost said. “Fortunately, the great work by BCI’s forensic accountants and the Aurora PD caught up to this guy, who will now have to balance the books in front of the scales of justice.”
An investigation by the Aurora Police Department and the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation uncovered evidence that Molnar had complete control and access to the bank accounts of Aurora VFW Post 2629. Molnar allegedly used that access to defraud a lottery machine and write improper checks.
“Mr. Molnar was placed in a position of trust by the members of VFW Post 2629,” Chief Byard said. “Over the course of several years he violated that trust and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization and it’s hardworking members. For the past 18 months, the Aurora Police Department worked closely with the Attorney General’s Office in piecing this case together and will continue to work closely as the case progresses through the courts.”
Mayor Womer Benjamin said: “The VFW is a critical veterans organization in our community and was devastated by the theft of close to $700,000 from its operations in the last several years. The Aurora Police Department has been vigorously investigating the theft and I have no doubt that it will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The case is being prosecuted by the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office.??