ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 26, 1997 TAG: 9702260045
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A police investigation showed the money had been taken between May 17, 1995, and Nov. 14, 1996, said Lt. Kim Crannis. She said $4,960 was embezzled and check forgery accounted for $3,050 of the missing money.
Crannis said police investigated the problem after the department received a complaint on Jan. 24.
Knott was treasurer for the fraternity from May to August 1995 and again from December 1995 through December 1996.
Jimmy Wiley, president of APO, said the fraternity filed a complaint with the police and the Montgomery County commonwealth's attorney after the fraternity reviewed its financial records in January.
"Last fall, we had suspicions he was not doing his job," Wiley said.
Police called Knott in for questioning and he went voluntarily and cooperated fully, Wiley said, but he has not offered a reason for his actions. Knott could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Knott paid the fraternity $1,000 toward the loss. The cashier's check, however, has not been taken in lieu of a settlement or criminal prosecution, Wiley said.
Because the fraternity's budget came from Knott, Wiley said he was unsure what percentage $8,000 would be of the fraternity's annual income. Wiley said last year's total budget was about $11,000. It was the same year APO won the Outstanding Student Organization award, he said.
"Our alumni and [active members] are operating normally," Wiley said in spite of the financial loss and stress.
Among the service fraternity's projects for which its members volunteer are the Bloodmobile at Tech, Habitat for Humanity and the Montgomery County Humane Society.
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB