Two arrested on suspicion of embezzling from Bentonville American Legion

Emerson, top, and Akers, bottom
Emerson, top, and Akers, bottom

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of taking money from American Legion Post 77 in Bentonville.

A warrant for Marvin Dale Akers, 51, and Kim Roland Emerson, 60, called for them to be charged with property theft-embezzlement, a Class B felony. Akers was commander of Post 77 in 2009 and Emerson was treasurer.

The group's downtown building was sold in 2009 for $176,850, according to documents provided to police.

The men withdrew and cashed checks for nearly $121,000, according to a probable cause affidavit. An additional $32,000 was withdraw from ATMs around the area in 2009 and 2011.

Akers and Emerson told police they divided a check for $90,000 for their work in the sale of the building. Akers told police the ATM withdrawals were made so the cash could be given to homeless veterans and others in need.

Both men were being held Wednesday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

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