Officials with Atlanta's Woodruff Arts Center say a former employee is accused of taking more than $1 million from the organization. The former employee's name has not been released, but officials say the money was taken over the last five years.
The discovery of the alleged theft comes just months after Woodruff's new president and CEO Virginia Hepner took the helm. Hepner said at a news conference on Tuesday that the accused former employee, who began working at the Woodruff Arts Center in 2004, worked in the administrative office but was not employed in the finance department. The former employee resigned on October 31.
Hepner says she launched an internal investigation on November 1 after another employee came to her with concerns over suspicious invoices. Over the next three weeks, Woodruff staff worked with independent financial experts to review over 1,000 invoices covering several years, and also interviewed personnel and vendors. Hepner says in all, they confirmed that $1,438,000.00 was taken over the past five years.
Hepner and board chairman Larry Gellerstedt call this a serious administrative oversight, but they assure patrons they are taking steps to ensure something like this never happens again.
Investigators did not release the former manager's name, citing the ongoing police investigation. They say they know who submitted false invoices for payment, and they have notified that person that they will likely face charges in connection with the alleged theft.
The case has been turned over to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:01:11 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
