Motorcycle.com

MOKE1K · 02-23-2010, 06:31 AM

Have a Nice Day: Smilie Faces Time Behind Bars
by staff
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
This just in:Superbikeplanet

*
Former AMA Board Chairman Dal Smilie sentenced
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Former American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Board Chairman Dal Smilie was sentenced Monday, Feb. 22, to eight months in prison and two years probation for embezzling more than $100,000 through fraudulent travel reimbursement claims submitted to the AMA over a period of years ending in 2007.

Smilie pleaded guilty to felony counts of grand theft by deception and of receiving stolen property in the Fairfield County, Ohio, courtroom of Judge Chris Martin. He was taken directly into custody to begin serving a sentence that could see him request early release after 30 days.

Speaking to Judge Martin before his sentencing, Smilie expressed remorse for his actions.

"I've got much to apologize for, and many people to apologize to, including AMA members, AMA staff, my fellow board members and volunteers," he said. "I've let them down."

Smilie acknowledged that his fraudulent travel-reimbursement claims stemmed from his time as an AMA board member. "I overstated travel claims," he said. "I co-mingled funds. That's misappropriation. That's theft. That's a breach of trust, and I'm sorry for that. I was an honorable person, and I kind of slid into this. I don't have good excuses."

Fairfield County Assistant Prosecutor Gregg Marx said after the hearing that the sentence was appropriate, especially in light of the fact that Smilie paid restitution to the AMA for the money in question. "We're very pleased with the resolution of this case."

AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman echoed those sentiments. "On behalf of the members of the American Motorcyclist Association, we are satisfied that justice has been served, and we are glad to put this matter behind us," he said.

Dr_Sprocket · 02-23-2010, 06:52 AM

Despite countless felons getting caught for embezzelment, it will continue to happen. Why? Why does everyone think they are different and won't get caught? And why does everyone think they can handle a liter bike as their first road bike?

MOKE1K · 02-23-2010, 07:16 AM

Baaaaahaaaa

sarnali2 · 02-23-2010, 07:27 AM

Criminals are all the same, they think they are clever or that everyone else is stupid, that's why so many get caught. Far as I'm concerned embezzlement and other so called white collar crimes are no different than sticking a gun in someones face and taking their money and they should be treated the same way. None of this minimum security Club Fed crap, toss them in with the GP and let them see the other side of the coin.

Kenneth_Moore · 02-23-2010, 10:00 AM

During my career I've known more than one person who risked their big salaries and professional reputations over a few bucks on an expense report. Then again, white-collar crime goes unpunished with rare exceptions.

I was an AMA member until this came up. I dropped my AMA membership this year because I believe that this corruption is likely a reflection of the organization as a whole. Who audits the AMA? How effective are they with the money they get? Why did it take years for this malfeasance to come to light?

pplassm · 02-23-2010, 12:03 PM

Dingman was brought in to get rid of stuff like this in the AMA.

He's got a long road to go to restore any trust in the organization.

If you care, here are links to a 3 part interview:

AMA President Rob Dingman Interview Part One: Answering The Question, How Much Money Did The AMA Get From DMG For AMA Pro Racing? News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

AMA President Rob Dingman Interview Part Two: Answering The Question, Why Did The AMA Screw Over AHRMA? News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

AMA President Rob Dingman Interview Part Three: Answering The Question, Where Does The AMA Go From Here? News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

The first two segments address specific, racing related questions, and the third is more broad. All are interesting reading.

Is it all true? I cannot say.

02-23-2010, 06:31 AM	#1
MOKE1K Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kalapana, Big Island Posts: 3,956	Uh Oh,... Have a Nice Day: Smilie Faces Time Behind Bars by staff Tuesday, February 23, 2010 This just in:Superbikeplanet * Former AMA Board Chairman Dal Smilie sentenced PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Former American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Board Chairman Dal Smilie was sentenced Monday, Feb. 22, to eight months in prison and two years probation for embezzling more than $100,000 through fraudulent travel reimbursement claims submitted to the AMA over a period of years ending in 2007. Smilie pleaded guilty to felony counts of grand theft by deception and of receiving stolen property in the Fairfield County, Ohio, courtroom of Judge Chris Martin. He was taken directly into custody to begin serving a sentence that could see him request early release after 30 days. Speaking to Judge Martin before his sentencing, Smilie expressed remorse for his actions. "I've got much to apologize for, and many people to apologize to, including AMA members, AMA staff, my fellow board members and volunteers," he said. "I've let them down." Smilie acknowledged that his fraudulent travel-reimbursement claims stemmed from his time as an AMA board member. "I overstated travel claims," he said. "I co-mingled funds. That's misappropriation. That's theft. That's a breach of trust, and I'm sorry for that. I was an honorable person, and I kind of slid into this. I don't have good excuses." Fairfield County Assistant Prosecutor Gregg Marx said after the hearing that the sentence was appropriate, especially in light of the fact that Smilie paid restitution to the AMA for the money in question. "We're very pleased with the resolution of this case." AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman echoed those sentiments. "On behalf of the members of the American Motorcyclist Association, we are satisfied that justice has been served, and we are glad to put this matter behind us," he said. __________________ "YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL" "The only thing limiting your bike, is you" We survived Bush you'll survive Obama! "the most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive." --thomas sowell Last edited by MOKE1K : 02-23-2010 at 06:33 AM.

02-23-2010, 06:52 AM	#2
Dr_Sprocket Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delmarva Peninsula Posts: 2,331	Despite countless felons getting caught for embezzelment, it will continue to happen. Why? Why does everyone think they are different and won't get caught? And why does everyone think they can handle a liter bike as their first road bike? __________________ "Aid to the helpless indigent is civilized. Aid to the irresponsible is socially corrosive." ----- Schizuki (c. 2011)

02-23-2010, 07:16 AM	#3
MOKE1K Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kalapana, Big Island Posts: 3,956	Baaaaahaaaa __________________ "YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL" "The only thing limiting your bike, is you" We survived Bush you'll survive Obama! "the most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive." --thomas sowell

02-23-2010, 07:27 AM	#4
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	Criminals are all the same, they think they are clever or that everyone else is stupid, that's why so many get caught. Far as I'm concerned embezzlement and other so called white collar crimes are no different than sticking a gun in someones face and taking their money and they should be treated the same way. None of this minimum security Club Fed crap, toss them in with the GP and let them see the other side of the coin. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

02-23-2010, 10:00 AM	#5
Kenneth_Moore Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VIsiting the GIft Shop in the Pit of DIspair Posts: 7,118	During my career I've known more than one person who risked their big salaries and professional reputations over a few bucks on an expense report. Then again, white-collar crime goes unpunished with rare exceptions. I was an AMA member until this came up. I dropped my AMA membership this year because I believe that this corruption is likely a reflection of the organization as a whole. Who audits the AMA? How effective are they with the money they get? Why did it take years for this malfeasance to come to light? __________________ www.kennethmoore.org

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02-23-2010, 12:03 PM	#6
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	Dingman was brought in to get rid of stuff like this in the AMA. He's got a long road to go to restore any trust in the organization. If you care, here are links to a 3 part interview: AMA President Rob Dingman Interview Part One: Answering The Question, How Much Money Did The AMA Get From DMG For AMA Pro Racing? News Article // RoadracingWorld.com AMA President Rob Dingman Interview Part Two: Answering The Question, Why Did The AMA Screw Over AHRMA? News Article // RoadracingWorld.com AMA President Rob Dingman Interview Part Three: Answering The Question, Where Does The AMA Go From Here? News Article // RoadracingWorld.com The first two segments address specific, racing related questions, and the third is more broad. All are interesting reading. Is it all true? I cannot say. __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life. Last edited by pplassm : 02-23-2010 at 12:41 PM.