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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- Weber School Foundation is putting its finances on hold as authorities investigate nearly $1 million that is missing.
The foundation says it will still take money earmarked for specific project at a school and applications requesting funds. But approving the applications will have to wait until the board figures out where the missing $900,000 went.
"It is a temporary freeze until we get re-established," said Dave Howells, the foundation's executive director.
The foundation is the nonprofit fundraising arm of Weber School District. It raises money for field trips, equipment and other school-related projects in the district north of Salt Lake City.
Weber County Sheriff's investigators are looking over the foundation's financial records to see if the money was embezzled by a former secretary. No charges have been filed. After the investigation, the Weber County Attorney will decide whether the case is criminal and if charges are warranted.
The secretary was fired last month after an audit showed expenses were higher than expected. District officials believe the secretary forged signatures on checks over five years.
Because the budgetary costs may have been inflated, foundation board members aren't sure what their annual budget is.
"We don't really know, exactly," board member Bryan Benard said. "We're skeptical of everything now."
The investigation hasn't stopped people from giving money. Since Jan. 1, about $28,000 has come in from three donors to buy interactive whiteboards for the schools.
"There are so many neat people out here who give so much," Howells said.
Information from: Standard-Examiner
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
