American Legion Post 121 ex-treasurer indicted on theft-related charges
STAFF REPORT
MICHAEL BONZA
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, 3 p.m. — Michael Bonza, 32, of Bardstown, former treasurer at American Legion Post 121, was indicted Wednesday on charges related to the reported theft of $5,000 cash, iPhones and a computer that he reported stolen from his car while it was parked at the Legion post Dec. 4, 2013.
Bonza was indicted on charges of tampering with physical evidence, receiving stolen property, both Class D felonies, and falsely reporting an incident, a misdemeanor.
The indictment of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
According to the indictment, on or about Dec. 17, 2014, Bonza allegedly received, retained or disposed of cash belonging to the American Legion post knowing it was stolen with a value of $500 or more but less than $10,000. The indictment further alleges Bonza hid cash in a shed behind his house during the investigation, and that he falsely reported to police that the cash and other items had been stolen. Bail was set at $5,000 cash only, plus conditions that he stay away and refrain from communicating directly or indirectly with the American Legion post. He is scheduled for arraignment at 1 p.m. March 6, 2014.
The grand jury, which met Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, did not indict Bonza on a charge of theft by deception.
According to earlier news reports, Bonza allegedly told police that at about 10:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 2013, cash, a computer and two cell phones were taken from his car after he parked it at the American Legion Post 121, 206 W. Broadway and went inside with his children. When he returned to his car, he told police that was when he noticed the phones, laptop and thousands of dollars in cash were missing from a money bag in his car.
Some of the money was recovered by Bardstown Police in late December.
Post Commander Pete Trzop said he and the post cooperated with the police department’s investigation of the theft. Bonza was suspended from his role as post treasurer during the investigation, he said.
“We take a very hard stance on theft, especially when it comes to the contributions from our veterans and their families,” he said. “We have zero tolerance for theft.”
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