Mike Raita, former executive director of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and longtime Birmingham sports anchor, was arrested on Thursday.
Raita was charged with use of official position or office for personal gain and released on Thursday after posting a $25,000 bond.
Raita resigned as the regional director for U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) two months ago and served as executive director of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame from 2020 until 2024.
Governor Kay Ivey recently dismissed and replaced the entire appointed Motor Sports Hall of Fame Commission including former State Sen. Gerald Dial, the former board chairman.
Findings from the report include a former Motorsports Hall of Fame executive director purchasing a 1968 Camaro Convertible pace car from the commission for $15,000 in April 2023. The Commission indicated to auditors that the vehicle was advertised for bid, and the former executive director was the only individual who bid on the vehicle. The Commission provided an advertisement in a local newspaper that advertising bids were being accepted for a "1968 Chevrolet." The advertisement provided no additional information regarding the car, including the model, according to the audit.
The spouse of the former executive director also purchased a 1998 Ford F-150 truck from the Commission for $1,000.00 in March 2024, according to the audit.
Tommy Spina, an attorney representing Raita, said in a statement to 1819 News on Monday afternoon, “I represent Mike Raita alongside Rod Giddens of Talladega County in connection with the recent allegations concerning his role as Executive Director of the Alabama Motor Sports Hall of Fame.”
“Mike has not engaged in any conduct that he believed to be unlawful. To the contrary, every action he took was done openly, in good faith, and with the knowledge, authority, and approval of the Hall of Fame’s chairman and board of directors,” Spina said. “We have been aware of this investigation for some time and have fully cooperated with the Attorney General’s Office at every stage. Mike voluntarily surrendered to the Talladega County Jail last Thursday evening, promptly made bond, and was released. At the appropriate time, Mike will enter a plea of not guilty and looks forward to addressing these allegations through the proper legal process. We ask that the public reserve judgment until all the facts are presented.”
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