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by Motorcycle.com Staff

Former AMA board chairman sentenced

Smilie to serve eight months plus probation
By Motorcycle.Com Staff, Feb. 23, 2010
Former American Motorcyclist Association Board Chairman Dal Smilie has pleaded guilty for fraud.

A member of the AMA Board for 25 years before his resignation November 2007, Smilie pleaded guilty to felony counts of grand theft by deception and of receiving stolen property. Smilie was sentenced in Fairfield County court Feb. 22 to eight months in prison and two years probation for receiving stolen property. Smilie was also sentenced to three years in prison for grand theft, but that sentence was suspended in lieu of two years of community control and a $1,000 fine.

Smilie acknowledged he submitted fradulant travel reimbursement claims with the AMA totaling over $100,000.

I overstated travel claims, Smilie says. I co-mingled funds. Thats misappropriation. Thats theft. Thats a breach of trust, and Im sorry for that. I was an honorable person, and I kind of slid into this. I dont have good excuses.

Fairfield County Assistant Prosecutor Gregg Marx said the sentence was fair considering Smilie paid restitution to the AMA for the money he embezzled. Smilie also expressed remorse for his actions before beign sentenced by Judge Chris Martin.

Ive got much to apologize for, and many people to apologize to, including AMA members, AMA staff, my fellow board members and volunteers, says Smilie. Ive let them down.

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Motorcycle.com Staff
Motorcycle.com Staff

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