Police Say Former Theatre Group Treasurer Admitted to Embezzlement (Update)

The former Benicia Old Town Theatre Group treasurer who is wanted by police admitted to embezzling from that group, Benicia Police said Friday.

Police spokesman Lt. Frank Hartig said Kimble Goodman, a Benicia Economic Development Board chair, first came under scrutiny last month when the nonprofit Old Town Theatre Group reported suspicious activity in its accounts.

After consulting with the Solano County District Attorney's Office, police set up an interview with Goodman, who had been the group's treasurer since 2010.

"He admitted to taking money from the various accounts and using it for personal gain," Hartig said.

He said Goodman is suspected of taking $12,000 to $15,000 from the nonprofit.

A warrant was issued for Goodman's arrest Tuesday afternoon, Hartig said. Goodman was supposed to surender himself Wednesday but never showed up, he said.

"Obviously if we saw him we would arrest him," Hartig said.

The Benicia Police spokesman said he understands Goodman's attorney is trying to arrange a surrender to the Solano County courthouse in Vallejo, but didn't have any other details.

He declined to comment on how Goodman allegedly took money from the Old Town Theatre Group, not wanting to jeopardize any court proceedings into the charges against Goodman.

Goodman is also chair of the Benicia Economic Development Board, but Hartig said police only investigated the initial complaint from the Old Town Theatre Group.

Goodman still holds his position as chair of that board, Administrative Services Director Anne Cardwell said Friday. He would either have to step down voluntarily or be voted out by four city council members, she said.

"We don't have specific removal provisions that speak to if this happens [a board member] is removed," she said.

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