Kinston/Jones Free Press (kfp)
The Lenoir County SPCA is in a dire situation.
The private nonprofit receives community and taxpayer support and the community should have a new modern shelter. The problem is the community, taxpayers and donors should not trust the group to move forward while they lack basic fiscal controls and transparency.
Here is the pathway forward: new board leadership, conduct a forensic audit to ensure donors and taxpayers that funds have been used appropriately, and give access to records to the public and local government.
A forensic audit, recommended by the SPCA s attorney, was dismissed on grounds that it was too expensive. What are the board members potentially hiding from donors and taxpayers?
Kinston/Jones Free Press (kfp)
Editor’s note: This story is No. 4 in a series looking at the top 10 stories of 2020 for The Free Press, counting down from 10 to 1 from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1.
A series of eight stories published by The Free Press delved into the alleged mishandling of donor funds, conditions of a current animal shelter and plans for a new one, and also the future of the Lenoir County SPCA.
Seven of the eight stories, deemed a “series of attacks” by SPCA president Jerry Henderson in his letter to the editor, eventually brought some things to light for the non-profit organization.