The executive director of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) has been released from a Michigan jail after he was arrested earlier this month on a charge of embezzlement of between $20,000 and $50,000. The charge relates to Blair’s term as manager of the Hastings Barry County Airport in Michigan from 2007 to 2009. On the advice of his lawyer, Blair declined comment on the case when contacted by AVweb. He was arrested April 2 by the Alleghan City Police and taken to the Barry County Jail. He was released after posting a $5,000 cash surety. He continues in his role at NAFI, according to EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski.
Knapinski said the matter is under investigation in Michigan and the local district attorney has not yet decided on whether to proceed with the charges. Knapinski told AVweb his understanding of the case is that it resulted from a “contractual dispute” at the airport. NAFI is affiliated with EAA but has its own board of directors. Blair has been the executive director since 2008.
