A former sportscaster was arrested on Thursday, accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Alabama. The money was allegedly used to purchase two vintage cars for himself and his wife.
Mike Reita, who spent 20 years at ABC 33/40’s sports desk before his firing in 2017, was taken into custody as part of a grand jury indictment, according to officials.
The 67-year-old faced scrutiny after a recent audit indicated that a previous financial manager misappropriated around $236,000 from the Hall of Fame between 2019 and 2024.
According to LinkedIn, Reita served as the executive director from 2020 to 2024. During this time, he apparently charged the organization for at least two large personal expenses.
The report showed that he purchased a 1968 Camaro convertible pace car and a 1998 F-150. The Camaro initially cost $15,000, but renovations pushed the total to $38,000. The pickup truck was reportedly acquired for $1,000.
After the audit, all executives from the Hall, including Reita, were dismissed. Although new appointees by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey were re-elected in November 2025, Reita’s absence from these proceedings was notable.
Reita’s role at the Hall was part-time, and he currently serves as a regional director for U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, as stated on his LinkedIn profile. The newspaper has reached out to Tuberville’s office for a response.
He was released on $25,000 bail, facing charges for using his position for personal gain. His legal team mentioned that he plans to plead not guilty.
During his time with the Sports Desk, Reita garnered several Emmy Awards and received the title of Alabama Sportscaster of the Year from the Associated Press ten times. He was particularly known for hosting ‘The Zone,’ a program focused on sports news across Alabama, providing a platform for local reporters.
Reita’s contract with the network concluded in 2017, leading to his departure.
