wfn.org | SYNOD PANEL TO INVESTIGATE MISMANAGEMENT ALLEGATIONS

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

30-Jun-95

95224  SYNOD PANEL TO INVESTIGATE MISMANAGEMENT ALLEGATIONS 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
RICHMOND, Va.--The Council of the Synod of Mid-Atlantic has voted to 
appoint a five-member committee of "impartial" Presbyterians to investigate 
allegations of mismanagement against synod staff members. 
 
     A prepared release by the council issued after its June 23-24 meeting 
here contained no specific information about the nature of the alleged 
transgressions or who is involved.  The statement simply said, "This 
committee will review the synod's financial and management practices in 
light of these allegations." 
 
     But Ed Briggs, a reporter for the "Richmond Times-Dispatch," wrote in 
a late-May article that the allegations range from inadequate documentation 
of the use of synod credit cards by synod executive the Rev. Carroll 
Jenkins to "excessive travel expenditures" by former synod treasurer the 
Rev. Joseph Pickard.  Pickard left the synod staff last summer to become 
comptroller of the Medical Benevolence Foundation in Houston. 
 
     Jenkins was quoted by Briggs as saying the allegations had been 
resolved. 
 
     While the five-member panel is reviewing the allegations, the 
council's administration committee will review the personnel concerns and 
policies, as well as record-keeping practices, called into question by the 
allegations. 
 
     In its statement, the council said it "took actions and acknowledged 
concern of many church members and staff surrounding the allegations." 
 
     At the same time, the statement continued, "the council focused on the 
mission of the synod and its responsibilities toward, and vision for, the 
total Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its membership." 
 
     The council asked the panel to complete its investigation by the end 
of the year. 
 
     The allegations followed in the wake of the council's May 5-6 meeting, 
at which time it cut the synod's budget by 10 percent (to $1.24 million for 
1995) and lopped four positions off the synod staff. 
 
 

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