Investigator Testifies Ely Filed False Mileage Bills : Trial: The prosecution seeks to disprove a major element of the college district trustee’s defense on charges of embezzlement.

Trustee James T. (Tom) Ely charged the Ventura County Community College District for mileage to Moorpark College on the same days he was in Las Vegas for a college convention, an investigator for the Ventura County district attorney’s office testified Thursday.

The embattled trustee also charged extra miles for scores of trips he said he made to Moorpark College and the district office in Ventura, investigator Larry B. Fryar testified. And in one case, Ely charged the district for 120 miles for driving to and from Los Angeles International Airport, although the round-trip from his house is only 94 miles.

These are just a few of the ways Tom Ely and his wife, Ingrid, tried to bilk the district out of $15,000, Deputy Dist. Atty. Carol Nelson said.

Fryar was expected to be the last witness to take the stand for the prosecution. Over the past three weeks, Nelson has called 24 witnesses, including several top district officials. Nelson said she plans to rest her case Monday, when the trial resumes.

Fryar’s testimony was intended to discredit a major element in Tom and Ingrid Ely’s defense. The couple’s attorneys are expected to argue that the money they owed the district for travel expenses to various conventions was offset by the money that the district owed Tom Ely for mileage.

Ely says the mileage that he claimed was legitimate. He said he drove a long route to Moorpark College from his home because he needed to monitor the traffic flow of the area, since he was serving on a local freeway committee.

The trial, which is expected to last at least through next week, is being held before Superior Court Judge Lawrence Storch.

Tom Ely has been charged with multiple counts of fraud and embezzlement and one count each of conspiracy, grand theft and embezzlement. Ingrid Ely is charged with one count each of conspiracy, grand theft and embezzlement.

If convicted, Tom Ely could spend up to six years in prison and Ingrid Ely could spend up to three years in prison.

Ingrid Ely is accused of collecting $3,000 in travel advances through the Moorpark Alumni Assn. although her expenses were charged to her husband’s district credit card.

On Thursday, Nelson placed several witnesses on the stand in an attempt to belittle the alumni association, which was started by Ingrid Ely. Nelson contends that the group was only used to provide money for Ingrid Ely’s travel.

Several members of the association testified that they were not sure what the organization had done, except to sell buttons and hats at football games.

Catherine Grandchamp, a Moorpark graduate, testified that she joined the association because she was told that she could use her membership card to check out books at the Moorpark Public Library. But Grandchamp said that when she tried to use the card at the library, she was turned away at first.

Annette Burrows testified that she paid $100 to become a “lifetime” member of the group. As part of the membership, Burrows said she was told that she would be able to attend an exclusive reception with Moorpark College President Stanley L. Bowers serving as host. She said the reception never materialized.

Ingrid Ely’s attorney, Willard P. Wiksell, defended the organization, saying the group was responsible for awarding seven scholarships to students between 1988 and 1990.