Ohio Man Stole Over $700K From VFW Post: Officials

AURORA, OH — An Ohio man has been indicted on accusations he stole $714,000 from a Northeast Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post, prosecutors said. Dan Molnar faces charges of aggravated theft, tampering with records and money laundering.

Molnar, 74, was taken into custody by Aurora police on Feb. 21, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced. Investigators said Molnar had complete control and access to the bank accounts of Aurora VFW Post 2629. He used that access to defraud a lottery machine and write improper checks, prosecutors said.

“Mr. Molnar was placed in a position of trust by the members of VFW Post 2629,” Aurora Police Chief Brian Byard said. “Over the course of several years he violated that trust and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization and its hardworking members. For the past 18 months, the Aurora police department worked closely with the Attorney General’s Office in piecing this case together and will continue to work closely as the case progresses through the courts.”

Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said the theft from the VFW took place over several years. She thanked local investigators for identifying Molnar.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) aided Aurora police in discerning the theft from the VFW Post. The Portage County Prosecutor's office will now lead the case against Molnar.

“Having only one set of eyes on your finances can leave an organization blindsided by fraud,” Yost said. “Fortunately, the great work by BCI’s forensic accountants and the Aurora police caught up to this guy, who will now have to balance the books in front of the scales of justice.”