WICHITA — Former Osawatomie recreation director Ron Maring, 51, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to embezzling more than $125,000 from the city. Maring pleaded guilty to one count of tax fraud and false statement, and one count of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. Maring wrote checks from the recreation commission’s account to himself and to American Legion baseball but converted the money for his own use, Grissom said. He persuaded recreation commission board members to sign blank checks, used his own signature as an endorsement and instructed a recreation commission employee to endorse checks, Grissom said. When Maring filed his 2010 federal income tax return, he failed to report the embezzled income, which would have added $14,902 in taxes he owed. Sentencing is Dec. 11. He could face up to three years in federal prison and a fine up to $100,000 on the tax charge, and a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000 on the money laundering charge.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m.
