BAY CITY, MI -- A golfer in the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame and his wife are facing two felonies each. Police charge that they embezzled from a county-owned golf course.

Tuesday, April 26, Brent J. Goik and wife Ashley R. Goik (also known by the surname Kostus) appeared before Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly for arraignment on charges of embezzlement by an agent or trustee between $1,000 and $20,000 and false pretenses between $1,000 and $20,000. The charges carry the same potential punishment of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, or three times the value of what was stolen.

Kelly released both Goiks on $10,000 personal recognizance bonds.

The charges stem from a Michigan State Police investigation into the sales of membership cards to the Bay County Golf Course, located at 584 W. Hampton Road in Hampton Township, where Brent Goik had been the golf pro and recreation manager since 2007.

An affidavit contained in court records dated April 25 and authored by Detective Sgt. Matthew Jordan reads:

"Several years prior to 2014, the Bay County Golf Course began selling what was commonly known as mini-memberships that allowed golfers to pre-purchase 10 rounds of golf at a reduced rate, typically $185, a savings of $15. Beginning in early 2014 and continuing through into late 2015, (Ashley Goik) was selling fraudulent mini-membership cards for $75 apiece, such sales being unknown to and unauthorized by Bay County. She had the bogus membership cards printed and laminated at Staples for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. Over that period of time, Defendant had produced several hundred bogus mini-membership cards. Numerous area golfers purchased the bogus membership cards from Defendant, who typically requested and received payment in cash. Defendant told the purchasers that the membership cards were being sold by the golf course and that the proceeds were to benefit the golf course, both assertions being false and fictitious. In fact, none of the money obtained by Defendant was provided to the golf course. One golfer who paid Defendant for four such memberships in April 2015 actually received the bogus cards directly from Brent Goik. In late 2015, Bay County discontinued the mini-membership program for 2016, yet Defendant already had sold more than $1,000 worth of bogus membership cards dated for 2016; some golfers demanded the return of their money and were repaid, others were not.

"No later than mid-2015, and likely much earlier, Defendant's husband, Brent Goik, became aware that the bogus membership cards were being presented to the staff of the Bay County Golf Course in lieu of payment of customary fees. Several employees of the golf course told Brent Goik that golfers were presenting them with mini-membership cards that were not legitimate. Brent Goik advised them that he would look into it but they were not told to reject the cards or to call police. The staff continued to honor the cards when presented for the rest of the golfing season. When I spoke with Defendant, she informed me that she was aware that she was selling bogus membership cards, she knew the cards were being presented at the golf course to be honored and she knew her husband was accepting and honoring the cards. She also acknowledged that had the cards been rejected as false memberships, she would not have been able to continue to sell them. She also acknowledged that she had sold bogus cards for the 2016 golf season before learning that the mini-membership program had been discontinued and the membership cards were worthless. She advised that she returned some of the money to the purchasers but not all. The value of the income lost to Bay County Golf Course because of the false membership cards exceeds $1,000."

A second affidavit authored by Jordan states that when he spoke with Brent Goik, "He informed me that he was aware that his wife was selling the bogus membership cards, that he knew the cards were being presented at the golf course to be honored and that he, himself, had accepted and honored at least 20 to 25 cards since mid-July 2015. He also acknowledged that had the cards been rejected as false memberships, his wife would not have been able to continue to sell them."

Authorities issued warrants for the Goiks Monday, April 25.

Bay County fired Brent Goik Feb. 11. In his termination letter, obtained by The Bay City Times via a Freedom of Information Act request, Goik "Admitted to knowledge of fraudulent activity" and attempted to "conceal that activity throughout the 2015 golf season."

About two weeks before his termination, Goik provided information to Cristen Gignac, director of the county's Recreation and Facilities Department, about the unauthorized sale of "mini golf membership cards." He was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 29 following the meeting with Gignac, according to documents obtained by The Times.

Bay County Executive Thomas L. Hickner previously told The Times that when the county learned of the alleged fraudulent activity, the Bay County Sheriff's Office was contacted to launch an investigation. Investigators at the sheriff's office knew Goik, Hickner said, and handed the investigation over to the Michigan State Police in order to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Goik is a Bay City golf prodigy who in 2011 was inducted into the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame. After winning a state championship at Bay City Central High School, he went on to become a two-year captain at Michigan State University.

He spent six years as assistant pro at The Fortress in Frankenmuth before returning to the Bay County Golf Course in 2007 as head pro and recreation manager for the county.

The Goiks are in the midst of divorce proceedings. Brent Goik filed for divorce in Bay County Circuit Court on Feb. 4, court records show.

The Goiks are to appear for a preliminary examination before District Judge Mark E. Janer at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10.