This is to inform you of events affecting the Mohegan Council.
In 2004, the council hired a third-party accounting firm so that it could maximize resources and be good stewards of its supporters’ gifts. In March, 2009 we discovered that an employee by that third party accounting firm, had stolen a total of $227,119 from the council’s 2007 and 2008 budgets. At no time was this individual an employee or volunteer of the Mohegan Council. The fraud was carefully planned and conducted and could not be readily identified by council management or by an independent audit firm.
Since this discovery, we have been actively working with the Worcester County District Attorney’s office in its investigation of the matter and to pursue every option available, including a civil lawsuit, to recover the council’s funds. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, the council was advised to handle the matter confidentially in order to allow for a thorough criminal investigation conducted by the Worcester Police Department and the District Attorney’s office. This time also enabled us to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit and pursue other legal pro-active measures.
We are deeply saddened by the crime committed against the council, our members, chartering organizations and supporters. The Mohegan Council serves nearly 5,000 young people, with 1,800 adult leaders in Central Massachusetts. While this action creates new challenges for our council, we will remain committed to our mission, which is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Our top priorities in this matter are to act in the best interest of those we serve, to continue our good stewardship of benefactors’ and volunteers’ gifts of time and money and to uphold the principles and values of Scouting. Thank you for all you do to support Scouting in Central Massachusetts. If you have questions related to this matter please contact Jay Garee at 508-752-3769 or by email at jay.garee@scouting.org.
Yours in Service to Youth and Families,
Jay Garee Eric H. Schultz
Scout Executive Council President
The Mohegan Councilcurrently serves over 4,700 youth in central Massachusetts. Scouting has perpared more than half a million boys and (yes) girls from our region to develop into confident adults, engaged in community service and willing to serve others. How can I support scouting?
Be a Scout!The mission of the Mohegan Council, Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout Oath: On my honor I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law: A Scout is... Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent
The year 2010 marks the centennial anniversary of the organization which is one of the largest and most prominent youth development organizations in the nation. Events are planned nation-wide to commemorate the past, present and future of the BSA. This is a GREATtime to be a Scout! Check out the National Boy Scouts of America for more birthday buzz
*Serving the youth of Douglas, Dudley, Grafton, Millbury, Northbridge, Oxford, Sutton, Upton, Webster, Charlton, Brookfield, East Brookfield, North Brookfield, New Braintree, Ware, Warren, West Brookfield, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Auburn, Boylston, Holden, Leicester, Oakham, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, West Boylston, and Worcester
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