Illinois State Police investigation into management of U.S. Cellular Coliseum leads to multiple arrests
Five people charged with multiple felony counts

[September 26, 2017] 

Officials with the Illinois State Police (ISP) announce the arrest of five people for multiple felony offenses related to
the management of the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois.

Arrested were John Butler, age 58 of Bloomington; Bart Rogers, age 47 of
Morton; Kelly Klein, age 57 of Bloomington; Jay Laesch, age 27 of Heyworth; and Paul Grazar, age 50 of Normal. The arrests occurred on
September 25, 2017, and stem from a year-and-a-half investigation conducted by the ISP and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR).

In May of 2016 the ISP was contacted regarding alleged mismanagement of funds at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The ISP, along with the IDOR, conducted a thorough investigation and presented their findings to the McLean County State's Attorney. On September 20, 2017, a grand jury convened and signed indictments on the five suspects listed above.

The charges are as follows:

Butler and Laesch were both charged with Theft of Government Funds, Money Laundering, Tax Evasion, Tax Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Tax Evasion.

Grazar was charged with Theft of Government Funds, Money Laundering, Tax Evasion, and Conspiracy to Commit Tax Evasion.

Klein was charged with Theft of Government Funds and Money Laundering.

Rogers was charged with Theft of Government Funds.

This is still an ongoing investigation and no further information is currently available.

The public is reminded that all arrested persons are merely accused of the
charges against them and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

[ISP Public Information Office]