TALLADEGA, Ala. – Court records reveal details of indictments involving two former officials with the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (IMHOF) in Talladega. A Talladega County grand jury has indicted former executive director Mike Raita and former accounts manager Karen Lakey, both on charges of Use of Official Position or Office for Personal Gain.
67-year-old Raita was arrested on Thursday, April 2nd, after he allegedly advertised a 1968 Camaro SS Convertible Pace Car for sale. He is alleged to have then submitted the only bid, offering $15,000. After winning the bid, caused the IMHOF Commission to pay about $22,917.12 to restore the vehicle.
56-year-old Lackey was arrested a few days later. Her indictment alleges she used her position as accounts manager to take all or part of $159,477.55 for herself or a family member in an unauthorized manner. A state audit of IMHOF made public last year alleges Lakey used funds for unauthorized retail purchases, wrote checks to herself that were cashed, and made payments toward a personal power bill.
Both Raita and Lakey are set for arraignment in May.
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