Michael Benson former head of the Maricopa County Sports Commission is facing nine theft counts

Michael Benson, 47, who served as the head of the Maricopa County Sports Commission for a little more than a year, is facing nine theft counts, some of which are felonies that carry more than a two-year jail sentence. After Benson resigned on July 16, 2007, an audit flagged more than $40,000 in questionable spending from the commission's account, which had dwindled from $144,284, to $23,339, during Benson's tenure. In February, the commission asked the County Attorney's Office to investigate, said County Attorney Andrew Thomas.The query includes: A $2,270 trip to Grand Cayman Islands, where Benson stayed at a Ritz-Carlton and ran up dinner and lunch bills worth hundreds of dollars. He attended an NFL event there with a personal friend who is a sports agent. Three different stays at Scottsdale resorts, including one with a tab for $544 from Sky Bar.Two gym memberships at Lifetime Fitness for his daughter's lacrosse coach and her coach's boyfriend. <br />A $200 cash withdrawal from an ATM at Bourbon Street Circus, a Phoenix strip club. <br />Because the withdrawals were coming from a debit card that the commission had not given Benson permission to open, the purchases were not being cross-referenced, Thomas said.

Michael Benson former head of the Maricopa County Sports Commission is facing nine theft counts

Michael Benson, 47, who served as the head of the Maricopa County Sports Commission for a little more than a year, is facing nine theft coun...

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