The former manager of the city-owned arena has withdrawn his petition to have a misdemeanor theft conviction expunged in a case that required him to pay $450,000 to the city as part of what was billed as a major embezzlement case when it was filed in 2017.
In October, John Butler, owner of Central Illinois Arena Management (CIAM) filed a request for the sealing of public records tied to his 2020 plea to a low-level theft charge. The records also contain details of what began as the county’s largest embezzlement case, with more than 100 criminal charges against Butler and four others who helped Butler manage the city-owned venue now known as Grossinger Motors Arena.
On Thursday, the state and Butler mutually agreed to the withdrawal of the petition. No reason was specified for the decision. Unlike the initial request filed by Butler himself, the recent paperwork was filed by an attorney for Butler, Tristan Bullington of Bloomington.
The former arena official denied taking public funds, pointing the finger instead at employees. Charges accused Butler of mismanaging finances and pocketing money that should have been transferred to city coffers. The investigation uncovered a lack of oversight of arena operations by city officials.
In a written objection to the expungement, the state argued that Butler’s petition was filed prematurely because the law requires a defendant to wait three years after a sentence is served before filing such a request.
Three of the four other former management officials were convicted of wrongdoing.
Former general manager Bart Rogers pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft. Concessions general manager Paul Grazer and concessions finance chief Jay Laesch pleaded guilty to felony offenses. Charges were dismissed against former assistant GM for finance Kelly Klein.
State Police opened an investigation into arena finances after the city and Butler agreed to end CIAM’s 10-year management agreement.
