Organizer of Ohio hot air balloon festival pleads guilty to stealing festival funds

An organizer of the All-Ohio Balloon Festival pleaded guilty to felony theft charges.

According to the Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, 52 year-old Marysville man Kevin Behrens pleaded guilty to theft charges as part of a plea agreement in Union County on Aug. 14.

Behrens, the former festival organizer, agreed to pay $40,000 in restitution to the festival—which is a charity organization—for funds he stole between Jan. 1, 2019 and May 31, 2024. 

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According to Yost’s office, the funds were used for “personal expenses,” although they did not clarify further what the money was spent on.

Behrens is no long associated with the All-Ohio Balloon Festival. The event, which is held at the Union County Airport, announced it will not be held in 2025 due to construction around the airport.

Behrens is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 10.

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