Non-profit director resigns after hundreds of dollars vanish
By: Jeff Wagner/WCIA-3 News
Updated: February 5, 2013
DANVILLE -- The director at the Danville Humane Society has stepped down. That decision comes on the heels of an investigation over missing money.
The change at the top happened last weekend. That's when the Board of Directors offered Shawn Miller a different job. But, they say he chose to resign.
Pete Lary, President of the Humane Society's Board of Directors doesn't believe Miller stole the money. But, he says the fact that hundreds of dollars vanished under his watch warranted a change.
Sunny skies and mild weather made for the perfect afternoon for Justin Free. He and his four-legged, best friend visited "Fetch Dog Park."
"She has her freedom out here where she can just run around and have fun with other dogs," he said.
Free, like others at the park, pays a yearly fee for this freedom. He signed up for the first time last year.
"We went there, filled out the forms and gave them the money for our membership," he said.
The fee manages the park's upkeep. But Free's $10 fee, paid in cash, might not have gone where it was supposed to.
"We collect the money. The money is supposed to be deposited every day," says Lary. "And we found the money wasn't being deposited every day."
Lary says about $500 worth of fees went missing during Miller's watch.
"You like to think that your money is going towards the upkeep up the park and that's obviously not where it was going to," said Free.
"I never ever thought Shawn had anything to do with it. I think he's an honest man," said Lary. "But, I said, 'the fact of the matter is, this is your watch, it's happening under your watch. If it does not stop and you can't solve it, you're going to have to go down on your sword.'"
With Miller gone, the society's bookkeeper, JoAnn Adams, has stepped in as interim director. Adams has been with the organization for 31 years as the director until Miller replaced her a few years ago. Since then, she's been the bookkeeper.
Lary says it's a good fit since she was the first the notice the missing money. A new director should be hired in a few months.
"We're going to get stabilized. She's been all day trying to get the paper work that wasn't handled as it should have been handled processed. Getting that cleaned up and matched up," he said.
Lary still isn't sure where the money went. But he did say the city has been reimbursed.
Because of the problem, other changes have been made. People can no longer use cash to pay for fees. It must be done with a check. Lary says that should stop any temptation and make it easier to track money meant for the city.
"It's kind of a hassle, but we see the bigger picture here that we like to know that the money is going where it's supposed to."
The new rule was put in place last month. Checks will be deposited daily.
The change at the top happened last weekend. That's when the Board of Directors offered Shawn Miller a different job. But, they say he chose to resign.
Pete Lary, President of the Humane Society's Board of Directors doesn't believe Miller stole the money. But, he says the fact that hundreds of dollars vanished under his watch warranted a change.
Sunny skies and mild weather made for the perfect afternoon for Justin Free. He and his four-legged, best friend visited "Fetch Dog Park."
"She has her freedom out here where she can just run around and have fun with other dogs," he said.
Free, like others at the park, pays a yearly fee for this freedom. He signed up for the first time last year.
"We went there, filled out the forms and gave them the money for our membership," he said.
The fee manages the park's upkeep. But Free's $10 fee, paid in cash, might not have gone where it was supposed to.
"We collect the money. The money is supposed to be deposited every day," says Lary. "And we found the money wasn't being deposited every day."
Lary says about $500 worth of fees went missing during Miller's watch.
"You like to think that your money is going towards the upkeep up the park and that's obviously not where it was going to," said Free.
"I never ever thought Shawn had anything to do with it. I think he's an honest man," said Lary. "But, I said, 'the fact of the matter is, this is your watch, it's happening under your watch. If it does not stop and you can't solve it, you're going to have to go down on your sword.'"
With Miller gone, the society's bookkeeper, JoAnn Adams, has stepped in as interim director. Adams has been with the organization for 31 years as the director until Miller replaced her a few years ago. Since then, she's been the bookkeeper.
Lary says it's a good fit since she was the first the notice the missing money. A new director should be hired in a few months.
"We're going to get stabilized. She's been all day trying to get the paper work that wasn't handled as it should have been handled processed. Getting that cleaned up and matched up," he said.
Lary still isn't sure where the money went. But he did say the city has been reimbursed.
Because of the problem, other changes have been made. People can no longer use cash to pay for fees. It must be done with a check. Lary says that should stop any temptation and make it easier to track money meant for the city.
"It's kind of a hassle, but we see the bigger picture here that we like to know that the money is going where it's supposed to."
The new rule was put in place last month. Checks will be deposited daily.
