SIREN staffer says forensic accountant assigned in wake of 'theft' from Eaton County nonprofit
CHARLOTTE — An official from an Eaton County nonprofit that provides domestic violence and homeless outreach services says the nonprofit will be transparent as forensic accountants investigate a "theft" of funds.
Tracie Socey, the outreach coordinator for the Charlotte-based SIREN/Eaton Shelter, said in an emailed statement Thursday that the nonprofit has "filed a claim with our insurance carrier and a forensic accountant has been assigned. We expect the investigation to take several months or longer, as a thorough and meticulous review of financial records is underway."
Socey first announced a theft of money from the nonprofit on June 3, initiating an online fundraiser seeking $300,000.
"We acknowledge that we are responsible for oversight of the funds that we are entrusted with, which is why the decision was made to go public with this information. Donors deserve to know the truth about the funds they contribute to any organization," the statement said.
When asked for an approximate amount of the missing funds Socey said in an email "...We do not have that information at this time, as the investigation is still ongoing. We will share that information once it is made available."
Staff first realized the money was missing in May and notified Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office, Socey said earlier this week.
"We cannot comment on any ongoing investigations," Kim Bush, a spokesperson for Nessel's office, said in a text message Wednesday without directly confirming an investigation is underway.
Socey said attorney general staff had been at the nonprofit's office investigating the case.
"Until the investigation is complete, we are unable to recover any funds, including from the insurance company, which is why we need support now," Socey said in her emailed statement Thursday.
SIREN, which in 2022 sheltered nearly 200 families, is required to undergo independent financial audits annually, Socey said Thursday.
The nonprofit "contracts with an independent CPA firm to complete its daily bookkeeping and monthly financial reports as an added level of financial accountability," she said. "Neither alerted the Board to any financial irregularities."
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The online fundraiser's goal of $300,000 is enough to ensure the nonprofit can avoid selling its domestic violence emergency shelter site and operate for the next several months, Socey said earlier this week. It had garnered just shy of $1,600 by Friday afternoon.
SIREN has been without an executive director for three weeks, Socey said. Former director Teri Looney left the position in May, she said. Looney now works as the executive director at Loaves and Fishes Ministries in Lansing. A message was left for her there Wednesday afternoon.
The agency had about $1.4 million in revenue in 2020, according to an online tax document.
"SIREN is the victim," Socey said in Thursday's statement. "Unfortunately, it is a natural reaction to blame the victim. We see this all too often, especially with the services that we offer in our community. We urge our supporters to refocus their lens."
Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: SIREN staffer says forensic accountant assigned in wake of 'theft' from nonprofit
