Noble County Prosecutor Steven Clouse says 30-year-old Bret Goodyear of Ligonier is accused of removing money from a Marshmallow Festival bank account and of possessing money taken from a Ligonier business. He had been vice chairman of the festival’s organizing committee.

Goodyear appeared in court Monday on charges of theft and fraud on a financial institution. An innocent plea was entered on his behalf.

Goodyear asked that a public defender be appointed to represent him. He was released on $7,500 bond. There was no telephone listing for him.

Clouse would not comment on whether Goodyear’s case is related to the previous arrest of the festival’s chairwoman, Tamara Deel.

Deel, 42, has been charged with bilking the festival and a business out of more than $136,000; money that she said she used to buy Longaberger baskets and alcohol.

The Marshmallow Festival in Ligonier starts Aug 31, and runs through Sept. 3.