Funds at the Boys & Girls Club of Hernando County may have been improperly used, an official said.
By BETH N. GRAY
Published October 21, 2003
SPRING HILL - A preliminary audit of the financial records of the Boys & Girls Club of Hernando County has been turned over to the Sheriff's Office for investigation, club officials said Monday.
"There were indications of possible improper use of funds, and that's what triggered (the request of the Sheriff's Office)," board president Eddie McConnell said. "Right now we can't comment any further because of the investigation."
McConnell did say that the case "has made a turn toward the person who was in charge of funds, the executive director."
Under pressure from the board, Julie Rodriguez, the club's executive director since its inception in 1999, resigned in September. Rodriguez had been responsible for day-to-day finances.
Since her departure, Rodriguez has been unavailable for comment.
The Sheriff's Office on Monday would say little about the inquiry.
"I can confirm we are conducting an investigation," Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Joe Paez said. "I can't comment any more than that."
While the Sheriff's Office is investigating, the club plans to hire an accountant to perform a complete audit of at least the last year's financial activities, board treasurer Carol Freeman said Monday. The preliminary audit, which Freeman described as "cursory," was done by a volunteer.
The club, which provides before- and after-school activities for some 70 children at its center on Applegate Drive, was threatened with closing last month when the board suddenly learned it did not have enough money to continue.
News of the impending shutdown prompted more than $17,000 in donations from individuals and businesses, enough to keep the club operating for the immediate future, Freeman said.
To help provide funding in the future, Freeman said she is pursuing foundation grants researched by Jean Rags, director of the Hernando County Social Services Department.
The loss of an expected $35,000 grant was one item that contributed to the financial crisis, Freeman said. Board member Chris Kingsley said Rodriguez had failed to file the grant application.
The board also learned that Rodriguez had not had an audit performed last year, as she was supposed to have done.
Paez said he did not expect quick investigation results.
"Generally, these things do take a while because there are a lot of documents to review," he said. "These are lengthier than normal."
While the board of directors has taken on the responsibilities of operating the club, it has called on its parent organization, the Southeast service center of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Atlanta, to help search for a new executive director.
A representative is expected to visit the center and meet with board members next month, Freeman said.
Until a new director is hired, Yvonne Krajcovic is serving as on-site assistant for daily operations.
