Tinsley Issues New Statements on Embezzlement Charge, Soccer Club Deal

First Selectman-elect Bill Tinsley issued a statement Monday addressing three questions related to allegations of theft — two concerning embezzlement and larceny charges he faces in Vermont and one regarding past dealings with the Brookfield Soccer Club.

In regard to the charges leveled by Vermont liquor store owner Mike Bailey, Tinsley addressed why the trial did not come up during the Republican Town Committee’s (RTC) vetting process and responded to statements made on Brookfield Patch about the strength of the evidence against him.

Tinsley’s statements on both questions have been reproduced below:

1) Questions regarding the candidate vetting process.   
 
I did not disclose to anyone, except my wife, that there were pending charges against me in Vermont. In early 2012, while spending the winter/skiing months at our Vermont home of 26 years, when these false charges were made, I was not serving in any official or unofficial capacity for the Town of Brookfield or the Republican Party.  

I preferred to (and did) treat the Vermont case as a private, personal matter. I had anticipated that the issue would be quickly resolved in my favor. I personally treated the case with priority. Unfortunately it was not a priority for Vermont officials and the case is now already 20 months old.  

I am innocent of the charges against me which claim that I unlawfully took $500. I will continue to work toward a speedy resolution of those charges in Vermont court. When resolved, I expect the record to be expunged.

I am a long-time resident of Brookfield and have served in many volunteer capacities, including elected positions on the Board of Finance and Board of Education. I have a strong record of community service and leadership over the past twenty years. I look forward to doing the same in the years to come for the great town where we live.

2) Questions regarding evidence in the case.
 
Two parties to the case against me have been quoted in the Brookfield Patch as saying that there was an investigation, and that evidence against me, including video footage, provides “crystal clear evidence” that I am guilty of the charges.  I have personally seen all of their evidence.  It shows and proves absolutely nothing whether viewed individually or collectively.  

These same two parties have been deposed.  From my knowledge of their court recorded depositions, their investigation and “crystal clear evidence” claims have been debunked. I doubt very seriously that the Vermont State attorney would have agreed to our pending settlement if in fact their “crystal clear” claim was true.

It is obvious to me that the complainant (Mr. Bailey) is angry. I may be the target of his anger, but I am not the source of it. He might want to look at the controls (or lack thereof) in his family owned and operated business.  

I too am angry. Mr. Bailey has falsely charged me. Now, 20 months later, he feels compelled to have you question my character. I respectfully ask that you consider my character on the basis of a long history of community volunteer involvement.

Tinsley also addressed accusations that he mishandled funds in a deal with the Brookfield Soccer Club while running a sporting goods store in Brookfield.

3) The Brookfield Soccer Club.

In the last two weeks before the election, I believe was libeled by at least one individual, and potentially a second person.

The second person is in the process of being identified as the author of an anonymous letter. The anonymous letter was distributed to several Brookfield homes, through the U.S. Postal Service. It used my P.O. Box as the return address. It is possible that mail fraud (a Federal offense) will also be a potential added criminal charge.

Now, as time passes, and my obvious political opponents pile-on, some of them are also subjecting themselves to the same libel claim.

At issue is the past business relationship between the Brookfield Soccer Club and Play It Again Sports, a local retail store that I owned and operated with my family from 2002 to 2010… a business we closed shortly after the death of our son.  

In the Fall of 2010, the Brookfield Soccer Club Uniform Program was transferred from Play It Again Sports to another local business. This transfer, along with all needed and requested reconciliations was made with the participation of the Brookfield Soccer Club uniform coordinator, the new service provider, and me.

In the three years that have passed since the transfer, I have not been the recipient of a single complaint or communication (written or verbal) regarding any disagreement over records and reconciliations. By my records, the Brookfield Soccer Club owed Play It Again Sports a small and insignificant sum of money relative to the uniform program.   

Just 10 days before our recent election, the known alleged libelous individual surfaced with claims of “theft from parents” and “stole from the Club.” These statements are libelous.

In addition to his libelous statement on the Brookfield Patch (subsequently pulled by the Patch) he also broadly distributed an email message. In it, he used language to describe me that is… well…. while not libelous… is not befitting a person who leads a youth sports organization.

I have already contacted legal representation in this matter, and will consider appropriate action. That being said, soccer is my sport and I have coached many local children as they have learned to play. I will be guided in my actions by keeping the children’s interests foremost in mind.  

And now, since I am the First Selectman elect of Brookfield, I will also be careful that this matter does not become a distraction from getting important work done for the town.   

Over the years, my wife and I have contributed significantly to the Brookfield Soccer Club, as well as other youth sports organizations in town. We hope to continue to be able to do so in the future.