The Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy was open again Wednesday, Dec. 8 but are reeling financially after a former employee misapporpriated the non-profit's funding. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

INTERNAL INVESTIGATION

Nanaimo non-profit investigating substantial theft of funds by former employee

Dec 8, 2021 | 10:52 AM

NANAIMO — A local non-profit is reeling after what they say was “a possible misappropriation” of donations and other funding.

The Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy announced Wednesday, Dec. 8, an internal investigation into the embezzlement of money by a now former employee.

A statement from the SEIA board, sent to NanaimoNewsNOW on Wednesday said the person involved was let go and police are investigating.

“While we are confident that our actions to date will prevent any future loss to SEIA, this situation has caused SEIA to be in financial difficulty and led to the current closure of our offices.”

In addition to the SEIA probe, Nanaimo RCMP confirmed it has launched a criminal investigation into the allegations, but offered no further comment.

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The total amount stolen was not confirmed by SEIA but is believed to be substantial.

Financial losses resulted in the society laying off all its staff, although Charles Nelson, SEIA’s executive director, told NanaimoNewsNOW many still are coming in to volunteer.

He said he’s come to learn over his five month tenure on the job the financial state of the organization wasn’t great.

“Within five months its been learning, discovering and in that time is learning that the financial situation of the Society isn’t doing well at all and providing those issues to the Board and getting direction from the Board.”

Nelson was unable to provide the name of the employee involved nor did he confirm a specific name when asked by NanaimoNewsNOW, citing an ongoing police investigation.

Charles Nelson, executive director of SEIA, sits at their Wallace St. location surrounded by dwindling donations. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The focus for Nelson and the Board is now split between the investigation and keeping the lights on at the Society.

SEIA’s closure resulted in Nanaimo’s only warming centre being lost as well.

Several other local groups are attempting to fill the need by staffing a warming tent in the downtown. On Tuesday, the tent was set up adjacent to SEIA’s Wallace St. location.

“Next steps are to do the best we can to keep the doors open, or to re-open,” Nelson said. “To continue to be an organization that provides services to those who have barriers to access most services. That’s what our hopes are, to continue that.”

The statement from SEIA made a plea for support and financial donations in a bid to help them right the ship. Donations can be made through this link.

SEIA provides a range of services to vulnerable people, including tenancy supports and advocacy, aid in accessing social assistance programs and women-only peer supports.

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