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The Blanchard Community Library has undergone turmoil for months and is currently involved in an investigation of $750,000 in financial irregularities. The sum exceeds the library’s annual budget, reported in the fall as being just under $700,000. |
BCL: Investigation launched in possible embezzlement of library funds
August 30, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office confirmed but would not give particulars about its investigation of $750,000 in financial irregularities, funds that a Blanchard Community Library elected official said Tuesday are missing.
BCL Board President Linda Spink read a statement at the August 27 board meeting noting trustees of the library had “recently discovered financial discrepancies and irregularities pertaining to its bank accounts and other financial matters,” according to a copy of the statement provided to the Santa Paula Times.
“Our attorneys and other forensic experts are fully evaluating this situation on behalf of the library in an effort to recover any and all losses that may exist.” And “Appropriate law enforcement agencies had been advised of the matter and are handling their own separate investigations, as they deem appropriate.” Both the Santa Paula Police Department and the DA’s office have confirmed they are investigating the matter.
Spink said, “It appears the financial irregularities may involve $750,000 or more.”
The sum exceeds the library’s annual budget, reported in the fall as being just under $700,000. Library trustees are investigating how the funds vanished, Spink said, and are weighing their options. The library “is insured and is aggressively pursuing recovery under its insurance policies,” Spink said, and the board “will pursue any other sources of recovery as may become available.”
She noted the board could offer no further comment, “However, when an appropriate time arises we will provide further communications to the community on this matter.” Spink concluded by thanking the community “for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.”
Ventura County Special Assistant District Attorney Michael Swartz said Thursday he could not provide an estimate of when the investigation - launched “late July” - into possible embezzlement would be completed or how long it appeared funds had been missing.
The news seemed not unexpected. Lisa Sorensen, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the five-member board in November, said board members - excepting Spink and Maureen Coughlin who were elected in November - should consider stepping down or face a possible recall.
The library has undergone turmoil for months. In April, after months of rising public criticism and contentious meetings that had started more than a year ago, the board fired Librarian Dan Robles, who had been with BCL for more than 30 years and started as a teenage volunteer. Sometime in May long-time BCL bookkeeper Tammy Ferguson was no longer employed by the library.
Before Robles was terminated members of the public alleged numerous problems ranging from personnel issues and unsafe working conditions, the latter which resulted in city inspectors - and later OSHA - citing the library for various violations including of fire codes and restroom facilities. The board later hired Ned Branch as an interim director and has started the recruitment for a permanent director.
Library board attorney Nancy Kierstyn Schreiner said she could not comment on the investigation, but noted its complexity: “There’s the criminal side and the potential civil side of this as well as insurance and potential personnel matters also. It’s like an onion ... you keep peeling back layers.”
