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Former KPLAY President Arrested for Misusing Funds

Lee County Sheriff's Office
Tyler McGhghy, 36, of rural Keokuk was arrested Wednesday by the Keokuk Police Department and charged with theft and forgery.

The former president of a volunteer organization that built an accessible playground in Keokuk was arrested Wednesday morning. Tyler McGhghy, 36, of rural Keokuk is charged with one count of theft and four counts of forgery.

Keokuk Police Chief Dave Hinton said in a statement that McGhghy’s arrest is the result of an investigation into the misuse of money donated to Keokuk Playgrounds for All (KPLAY). Hinton said he could not disclose the amount of money involved or how it was used because the investigation is ongoing.

KPLAY said in a statement last month that it discovered a minimal amount of money had been funneled to another organization without permission. The statement did not mention McGhghy by name, but it said the past president had agreed to resign and repay the money.

KPLAY also said it hired a professional firm to oversee the organization’s finances.

KPLAY built Bentley’s Playground. The accessible playground in Keokuk's Tolmie Park is named after McGhghy's nephew, Bentley.

McGhghy faces up to 25 years in prison.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.