Woodruff Arts Center employee accused of $1.5 million theft www.privateofficer.com

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ATLANTA GA Nov 29 2012— The Woodruff Arts Center has confirmed a former employee is accused ofstealing nearly $1.5 million from the foundation.
Channel 2’s Richard Elliot went to a Tuesday morning newsconference in midtown Atlantawhere Woodruff officials announced the issue. The center’s CEO, VirginiaHepner, said it all began with “odd” invoices. After further investigation,$1.44 million in fraud was discovered, Hepner said.
“It’s all appalling that this has happened,” she said.
Hepner said the fraud was going on for five years. Theemployee is accused of submitting fraudulent invoices for payment. He wasconfronted about the issue and confessed, Hepner said. She said he resigned ofhis own volition in October.
The employee was not named, but Hepner identified him as amid-level administrative employee who wasn’t a member of the financedepartment. She believes he acted alone. The center has now turned over thecase to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.
Hepner admitted there were not enough checks and balances inplace to prevent the incident, but she said that’s already been changed.
Hepner said the case hasn’t hurt the center’s $100 millionbudget, but officials hope it doesn’t hurt their fundraising campaign.
“This is a community asset and our donors are ourshareholders, and I think the first thing you acknowledge is that we have aproblem and you be transparent with the problem,” Woodruff board chair LarryGellerstedt said.