Former AMA Board Chairman Dal Smilie went before the court in Helena, Montana, Thursday to face extradition charges originating in Ohio that he stole $109,000 in travel related expenses from the AMA, according to a Helena Independent Record report that appeared today on www.missoulian.com.

Smilie, a former chief legal counsel for the state Department of Administration in Montana, is accused of grand theft by deception and receiving stolen property between January 2003 and December 2007 from AMA. Smilie was a member of the AMA's board of directors for 25 years, including a term as chairman, before resigning in November of 2007. A few months later he retired from his job with the state of Montana.

The 60-year-old Smilie, an AMA Hall of Famer, was quoted on the website as saying he was surprised by his arrest because he thought he had reached a settlement with the AMA a year ago.

"The amount that we had in dispute about the travel claims were all more than refunded," Smilie said. "Our indication was that it was a civil matter."

"Two things took place," AMA spokesman Pete terHorst told the website. "There was a civil action, which was resolved between Mr. Smilie and the AMA, that happened last summer. But we also turned over the results of the investigation by AMA to the county attorney."

Smilie was released from custody after posting a $25,000 bond. Now it is likely that Smilie will travel to Ohio to enter a plea in court.