Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990 TAG: 9003143196
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A9 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: MONICA DAVEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Short
"It was brought to my attention that there were possible irregularities in some of their financial records," Bedford City Police Chief Fred Russell said Tuesday.
The Police Department's chief investigator began looking into the irregularities Monday afternoon with the assistance of the state police, Russell said. It was unclear how long the investigation could take.
Russell said he contacted the office of Bedford County Commonwealth's Attorney James Updike after he learned of the matter Friday afternoon.
Bedford Main Street's Board of Directors requested the police investigation after a routine examination of financial records, the board's president said Tuesday in a written release. The group has also set up a subcommittee to gather financial information needed for an independent audit of its records.
Board President Sara Oliver's release stated that the police investigation would look into "possible misuse of funds."
Bedford Main Street normally has two staff members: a secretary and director Linda Kochendarfer, who only recently started working there.
The organization has an annual budget of about $65,000. The city of Bedford has supplied $25,000 of that annually since the program began in Bedford in 1985.
Officials Tuesday would not say how much money is believed to have been misused.
by CNB