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YMCA probe yields theft arrest By Jonel Aleccia Two days after police were called in to investigate missing money at the Rogue Valley Family YMCA, the agency�s former executive director on Friday faced a charge of first-degree theft. Medford police issued a criminal citation to Karen Jane Vezina, 37, of Jacksonville, in connection with some $6,000 to $7,000 in missing cash, said Lt. Tim George. The case has been forwarded to the Jackson County District Attorney�s Office for prosecution. No further charges or arrests are expected, George said. First-degree theft is a class C felony involving more than $750 but less than $10,000 in cash. "They were missing money," said George, who interviewed employees and reviewed YMCA records. "It didn�t just dry up and blow away." Mike Cronin, general director of the YMCA, refused Friday to discuss the arrest of Vezina, who held the agency�s second-highest management position before she left in June to take a new job. "I have absolutely no comment about that at this point in time," Cronin said. Medford Police Chief Eric Mellgren, who is also on the YMCA board of directors, said he was pleased with the arrest. Last month, Mellgren had said there didn�t appear to be enough evidence to pursue the matter. "What I knew was what I was briefed on," Mellgren said, adding that Vezina�s name was never mentioned to the board in connection with possible embezzlement. "As soon as we got the case, we ran with it. I�m thrilled that we made a case," Mellgren said. Greg Applen, vice chairman of the YMCA�s board of directors, expressed surprise at the arrest. "From what I understand, Karen did an outstanding job with child care," he said. "She grew that program from nothing to the largest child care in the region and one that passed inspections with flying colors." Vezina had worked for the YMCA for seven years. She served as executive director and senior program director, according to a YMCA Web site. She took a job as region manager for the Child Support Division of the state Department of Justice based in Medford. Vezina did not return calls seeking comment about the arrest. Last month, however, she said her departure was not connected to suspicions of employee embezzlement at the YMCA. "It didn�t have anything to do with it," Vezina said. "I had been offered another position." YMCA officials suspected in March or April that someone had bypassed computer systems and altered receipts. Between $6,000 and $7,000 appeared to be missing, Cronin said. YMCA officials turned the case over to police Wednesday in the face of growing public pressure from Sheriff Bob Kennedy and the United Way of Jackson County, among others. Previously, Cronin and other YMCA board members said the issue would remain an internal affair. They said a loss of $6,000 to $7,000 from a $1.8 million budget was acceptable in auditors� views. Mellgren and Applen both said that there was no attempt on the board�s part to protect Vezina, a long-term, well-respected employee. "I don�t care who we arrest," said Mellgren, who added that he encouraged board members on Tuesday to pursue the case. "If there�s a crime, it needs to be reported." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.