For Immediate Release....

(November 2, 2009) – Dale Suttles, newly appointed CEO of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Bluegrass (BBBS), announced today the discovery of an embezzlement scheme that began in late 2008 and continued until October 26, 2009 when it was uncovered by fraud investigators at Central Bank and Trust. 

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009, BBBS board members Sandy Hatfield and David Wolfe, along with Mark Wohlander, counsel for BBBS, obtained 142 forged checks totaling approximately $435,000. Each check bore the signatures of two BBBS board members, signatures that were later determined to be forgeries. All of the checks were cashed by one of five individuals - Demetrius Davis, Danny Fondren, Marcus Searcy, Emmanuel Marshall and Charles Mealing.

Within hours of learning the details of this crime, BBBS contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI interrogated BBBS Office Manager, Bendrea Wilson, who admitted her involvement in the scheme. Ms. Wilson immediately submitted her resignation and was escorted from the building. A criminal investigation into the involvement of Ms. Wilson and the five individuals who cashed the checks is ongoing.

In addition to possible criminal charges, BBBS has filed a civil lawsuit against all six suspects seeking repayment of the embezzled funds. Copies of this complaint will be available at the Fayette Circuit courthouse on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

BBBS employs an accounting firm that provides oversight of all BBBS accounts as well as an auditing firm that reviews BBBS financial information on an annual basis. BBBS is working with both firms to obtain more information regarding how the fraud safeguards in place failed to detect this embezzlement activity.

A BBBS recovery account is being established at Central Bank and Trust to provide an opportunity for the central Kentucky community to assist BBBS in helping ensure the services needed to support more than 1,100 children can continue uninterrupted.

A press conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 3 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office located at 1016 Rushwood Court in Lexington (40511). BBBS CEO Dale Suttles and executive committee president Sandy Hatfield will be available to address questions regarding this matter and outline what BBBS will be doing in an attempt to recover from this loss of funds.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass helps children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships with proven results.