PERRYSBURG – More than $120,000 is alleged to have been stolen by former employees from the Belmont
Country Club, 29601 Bates Road, Perrysburg.
Last week a Wood County Grand Jury found probable cause against Gary Kovach, a former manager at the
club, and Barbara Muir, its former accountant.
Kovach was indicted on two counts of theft and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity;
while a bill of information was handed down charging Muir with theft.
The indictment indicates the country club was not aware of an American Express card issued to Kovach, 50,
of Rossford, until Muir, 64, of Maumee, retired and a new accountant was going through the books.
Allegedly Kovach spent $24,882 from July 15, 2002 through Sept. 30, 2008, in personal expenses paid for
by the club without its consent or knowledge. It is further alleged Kovach had Muir pay for the expenses
on the card with funds from the country club.
The second count alleges the club issued Kovach a Visa card to use for legitimate business expenses. The
indictment alleges, however, he used the card from June 1, 2002 through Jan. 31, 2009, for more than
$44,072 in personal expenses.
Both theft charges are fourth-degree felonies and carry a possible sentence of six to 18 months in
prison. The pattern of corrupt activity is a second-degree felony, punishable by a prison sentence of
two to eight years.
The charge against Muir similarly indicates she was issued a MasterCard by Belmont Country Club and is
alleged to have spent more than $51,773 from Jan. 1, 2002 through Aug. 30, 2008, for personal expenses
beyond the authorized intent of the country club.
She is facing a fourth-degree felony charge of theft.
Both are to be arraigned before Common Pleas Judge Reeve Kelsey on Nov. 2.