Posts Tagged ‘Barbara McKinzie’

From The AP:

The audit of the Chicago-based Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which was completed in December and provided to The Associated Press, also found two former top officials continued to use sorority credit cards after their service ended, failing to appropriately document tens of thousands of dollars in charges. A pending 2009 lawsuit against the organization and officials including its former president, Illinois resident Barbara McKinzie, contains similar allegations.

The audit by the Illinois-based accounting firm Ragland & Associates covers the year 2010 and is an annual audit paid for by the society. It finds that in that year McKinzie and two other top officials secretly created a second set of financial books to get around the sorority’s accounting policies.

“The intent was to divert and misappropriate AKA funds,”according to the audit, which found nearly $1.7 million in payments made without authorization.

Approximately $282,000 in credit card charges on the second set of books appear to be fraudulent, including personal charges the sorority wasn’t reimbursed for, the audit found.

From Page 19 of audit:

AKA’s tax returns for years 2007 through 2009 are being audited by the Internal Revenue Service.  The audit is in process and is expected to be concluded sometime in January 2012.  The areas in which they are auditing are in the post Boule expenses, unrelated business income, regional directors office expenses (non-accountable plan expenses), set-aside income that has been authorized by the board, and travel and entertainment not supported with documents, including the American Express credit card expenses.”

(Translation: Somebody’s going to jail)

We now have time for a full day of apologies and brass ring kissing.  Line forms over there.  Please have your gifts cards and statements of regret ready as Mo’Kelly passes by.

Mo’Kelly may not be doing much investigative work right now…but his spies are!

Click HERE!

 

An apology refresher HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Yes Mo’Kelly said he wouldn’t be able to update everyone on the various series given

other commitments…but this fell in Mo’Kelly’s lap.

_____________________

From the AP:

WASHINGTON — A financial audit of the nation’s oldest black sorority found significant accounting problems including a secret set of books used by top officials to divert money, findings that bolster some claims in a lawsuit.

The audit of the Chicago-based Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which was completed in December and provided to The Associated Press, also found two former top officials continued to use sorority credit cards after their service ended, failing to appropriately document tens of thousands of dollars in charges. A pending 2009 lawsuit against the organization and officials including its former president, Illinois resident Barbara McKinzie, contains similar allegations.

The audit by the Illinois-based accounting firm Ragland & Associates covers the year 2010 and is an annual audit paid for by the society. It finds that in that year McKinzie and two other top officials secretly created a second set of financial books to get around the sorority’s accounting policies.

“The intent was to divert and misappropriate AKA funds,”according to the audit, which found nearly $1.7 million in payments made without authorization.

Approximately $282,000 in credit card charges on the second set of books appear to be fraudulent, including personal charges the sorority wasn’t reimbursed for, the audit found.

A sorority document written in response to the audit says the sorority discontinued the use of the second set of books in December 2010 and is currently developing written travel and entertainment policies that govern credit card use.

Alpha Kappa Alpha said in a statement Thursday that it is pleased to have the audit’s findings and that the sorority has made “great progress in enhancing the organization’s operational policies and procedures,” including taking steps suggested in the audit.

“We remain committed to preserving the assets of the organization and to continually reviewing and strengthening our operations. The audit’s findings are essential to that process,” the statement said.

McKinzie’s lawyer, Dale Cooter, said he had not seen the audit but said his client “did not create a fraudulent set of books.”

The pending lawsuit against the sorority, filed in the District of Columbia by sorority members, alleges McKinzie improperly used a sorority credit card for personal items including jewelry, designer clothing and lingerie. In court papers filed in March, McKinzie denies that she used the credit card inappropriately.

The lawsuit was initially dismissed in early 2010, but it was reinstated last August by an appeals court, which said the dismissal was premature. It seeks to recover allegedly misused money as well as punitive damages.

The lawsuit also includes an allegation about two wax statutes the sorority paid for during McKinzie’s tenure as president, from 2006 to 2010. One of the two statues commissioned for the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore was of McKinzie. The lawsuit alleges thousands of dollars over and above the cost of the statues went unaccounted for.

AKA was founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washingtonand has a worldwide membership of over 200,000.

Story HERE!

(The line is long to be sure, but the line for those who owe Mo’Kelly an apology forms over there.  Mo’Kelly will gladly stand and wait for each and every one of you to come up, kiss the brass ring and beg Mo’Kelly’s forgiveness.  

You know who you are.  

For those who had continually supported Mo’Kelly even when it wasn’t “fashionable” to do so, I thank you.  Everyone else…start puckering.)

Mo’Kelly’s got all day…

You’re welcome…and your apologies are accepted.

 

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Contact him at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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The court today ruled that the original dismissal by Judge Natalia Combs Greene was too soon, which blocked any consideration of the allegations by the original 8 plaintiffs on the merits.

Duh?!

That decision was OVERTURNED on appeal…and now remanded for TRIAL!

Hello there Barbara McKinzie…

I’m BAAAAAAAACK!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls…Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is going BACK to trial!

Mo’Kelly had to call in a favor from the courts to get the following document, but you are welcome to share it far and wide.

Click HERE.

 

 

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and EURWEB.com. For the most recent posts of Mr. Mo’Kelly, visit http://mrmokelly.com.  Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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And ALSO ordered that the sorority pay $2500.00 in court costs for Julia Purnell!  Yes!

FULL STORY HERE.

But Purnell’s attorney said there were about 80 checks missing for amounts in excess of $10,000, that half of the expenses on an American Express account lacked coding and that records for one account — called the Profit Fund — couldn’t be found, though the auditors discovered a checks for about $350,000 written against it.

“It appears that the books and records of the sorority are in disarray, whether intentionally or unintentionally,” Major told Judge Daniel Riley.

McKinzie did not appear in court Friday. Carolyn House Stewart, who is the sorority’s current president and executive director, and McKinzie ally Deborah Dangerfield attended the hearing.

“We have complied with all orders of the court,” said Stewart, a Tampa, Fla., attorney.

Also Friday, the judge also ordered AKA to pay $2,500 to cover court costs for  Purnell.

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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(But once again, remember you read about it FIRST…in The Mo’Kelly Report.)

According to a recently conducted financial investigation by an Elmhurst-based Illinois firm, Edward Kirby & Associates, Inc., AKA Inc., gave about $2 million in reimbursements and pay to McKinzie over the four years she served as president of the organization.

Although the investigators had limited time in which to conduct their review of the organization’s financial records, their examination found that McKinzie received “combined payments for compensation, retirement, taxes and expenses in excess of $2.2 million dollars.”

The review also discovered life insurance payments paid by

"Y'all misunderstood me...I didn't want a 'wax statue'...I wanted a 'waxed lip'. My bad."

AKA on behalf of McKinzie of more than $170,000 — among other financial perks.

“It is noted that these payments were just from a review of the general account and the American Express charge account,” wrote Steven Kirby in a letter detailing the review to Major and dated Sept. 20.

The review was conducted on behalf of Purnell who won a court order.

“There were several other AKA bank accounts that were not examined due to time and budget constraints from which additional funds were paid to Barbara McKinzie,” Kirby wrote.

According to the summary of the financial review, there were several “questionable transactions and/or bookkeeping issues.”

Fourteen missing checks, each for more than $10,000, totaling more than $327,000 that were not listed in the register;

Several duplicate expenses submitted by McKinzie paid by AKA’s American Express account;

Quarterly expense reports submitted by McKinzie with receipts from previous years;

Several thousand dollars charged for clothing from high fashion stores;

Over $35,000 for purchases listed as gifts that showed limited or no details;

Payments of McKinzie’s home and cell phone bills over $13,000.

“It is the opinion of the investigators that the preliminary findings to date would warrant a much more detailed examination and analysis of the books and records of AKA,” Kirby wrote. “The areas that should be focused on include a review of the additional bank accounts focusing on similar suspect payments as found in the review of the general account [and] an interview with Barbara McKinzie regarding questionable charges.”

Full story HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Spies for The Mo’Kelly Report are reporting that the Chief Financial Officer for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Eric Salstrand was “escorted” out of the building, by order of present Supreme Basileus Carolyn House Stewart who was at headquarters today.

The length of the “suspension” has been set at seven days, but likely is a precautionary legal measure which will precede outright termination, and criminal charges.

This would be the first official shoe to drop.  Eric Salstrand better start singing like a canary…or he’s going to jail, no exaggeration.

The restoration of AKA is officially underway.

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Today…It’s Mo’Kelly’s turn.  This is for my detractors and them only.  You know who you are and more importantly…so do I.

For more than a year, Mo’Kelly (Morris W. O’Kelly) has been subjected to all sorts of threats, insults, ridicule and indefensible behavior, in an effort to express one’s “objection” to my ongoing coverage of the issues confronting Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  In some respects, it was just fine.  I knew the job was dangerous when I took it.  As they say, I signed up for this and signed my name to it.

That said…

For the most part, I remained silent in the face of the ridiculous behavior.  In fact, the majority of the most vulgar, hateful emails came from the members themselves of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (and yes many others containing the same level of vitriol did not).  If I were to publish even a third of the notes, the world would be wondering if the organization would be even worth saving.  It would be hard to argue the value of AKA if such emails were in any way representative of its “college-educated” membership.  Granted, it would be unfair to characterize the outlandish remarks as peculiar to any particular group, but just know the overwhelming majority came from members of your illustrious sorority.  Maybe the goal was to have Mo’Kelly sink to a level unworthy of public respect, have him respond in a manner equally derogatory.

You failed.

Let the record show, Mo’Kelly did not disrespect not one person in return publicly or privately regardless of the hate shown me.

Not once.

There were emails from family members of AKAs who took issue with The Mo’Kelly Report for having the “audacity” to offer a public opinion about a “private” matter.  There were nasty comments and emails from members of other Black Greek-Letter organizations who felt the need to chastise me and my efforts to shine a light on this incredible level of financial malfeasance in “someone else’s” organization.  If the goal was to have Mo’Kelly respond in kind…

You failed.

Outside of my customary cynicism and sarcasm, for the most part, I remained silent.

Today…it’s my turn (to respond).

There were AKA impersonators who even put in their two cents in “defense” of Barbara McKinzie in an attempt to discredit me and my work.

You failed.

That’s not even including the calls and letters to my employer in an attempt to have me fired, despite full-well knowing the truth of the matter; the truth that Barbara McKinzie is/was robbing your beloved organization to the point of bankruptcy.

You failed.  Be glad you did, you at least still have a sorority and you’re welcome.

This is not even about the disrespect some have shown their own sorority sisters, the original 8 plaintiffs. That’s a completely different discussion for a different day.  Mo’Kelly can not and will not speak to the supposed “sisterhood” many of you had shown them.  They can adequately speak for themselves and on their own behalf.

But for the most part…on these personal matters regarding Mo’Kelly specifically, I remained silent and showed tremendous restraint.  Today though, it’s my turn to respond.

During these many months I said nothing about the overt movement to keep my older sister (an AKA) from becoming basileus of her chapter here in Southern California, specifically because “I,” “Mo’Kelly” was her brother.  Don’t think “Mo’Kelly” didn’t know about that and don’t think Mo’Kelly forgot about it either.  The next time “her brother” should come to one of “that chapter’s” events, just know that Mo’Kelly knows and will not forget.

But your apology is accepted.  Thanking you in advance.

I largely said nothing about the nastiness shown my mother, sister, great aunt and Ivy Beyond the Wall maternal grandmother (ALL AKAs) on The Ivy Vine listserv.  I never directly addressed the multiple discussions of these issues in supposed “connection” to my family when none of the aforementioned had ANY involvement whatsoever with ANYTHING published here in The Mo’Kelly Report.

No family member has EVER, under ANY circumstances participated in any information posted on any website or blog regarding AKA…EVER.  Nonetheless, some out there thought that the best way to get Mo’Kelly to “stop” was to “start in” on my family members.

You failed.

But be of good cheer, your apology is accepted.  Thanking you in advance.

Those specific individuals involved in that foolishness on The Ivy Vine, you shall remain nameless.  But be clear, Mo’Kelly does know your name(s).  Be sure to post this too on The Ivy Vine, with a big thank you note at the bottom of your aforementioned apology.  Mo’Kelly has earned both.

“Class” is not something you wear or emblematic of an organization you join, it’s found in the outward expression of one’s heart in the face of adversity.

Barbara McKinzie was paid somewhere close to 2 million dollars for an unpaid position by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.  FACT.  If there is anyone or anything in which one’s anger should have been directed, it’s to an address in Olympia Fields, Illinois.  If you like, Mo’Kelly will gladly forward it to your attention.

You know who you are.  Mo’Kelly accepts your collective apology too.  Thanking you in advance.

I said nothing about the blatant disregard and disrespect shown to me by other California AKAs at the local Frat Games, and yes, you shall remain nameless.  And yes, I do know your names.  Every single one of your insults and derogatory remarks made its way back to Mo’Kelly.  I said nothing in return to you or about you.  Your apology too is accepted.  You (in time) will have your sorority back and you’re also welcome.

Heretofore Mo’Kelly’s detractors have had their say.  Today it’s my turn to have mine.

Right is right…wrong is wrong.  Read the audit report and come back and tell Mo’Kelly the difference between “right” and “wrong.”  Listen to the interview with former employee Kenitra Shackelford and then tell Mo’Kelly who is in the wrong; who is hurting your beloved sorority.  Listen to the interview with Ms. Carol Ray and then come tell Mo’Kelly he needs to “mind his own business.”

There’s no fame, fortune or future gain in devoting more than a year to uncovering the financial malfeasance of a single African-American sorority of marginal news notoriety.  99% of the rest of the world does not care if AKA survives to see 2011 or the issues impacting the end result.

To my detractors, “you’re welcome.”  Be sure to think of Mo’Kelly the next time you send your dues check to nationals.  Your apology is accepted.  Thanking you in advance.

If Mo’Kelly were simply interested in “making a name for himself,” he would have gone the celebrity gossip route and accordingly named his blog, “Mediatakeout.com” or “Bossip.com” or “Hotghettomess.com”

This is The Mo’Kelly Report!

It is not to be confused with any such foolishness.  Do not EVER get it twisted.  Mo’Kelly BREAKS stories, Mo’Kelly covers NEWS and Mo’Kelly tells the TRUTH, be it Alpha Kappa Alpha, AME Church or T.D. Jakes/Juanita Bynum/Eddie Long.

And I’m gon’ keep on tellin’ it.

Your collective apologies are accepted.

Now runteldat.

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Once again, The Mo’Kelly Report was already way out in front of the story.  You can read about it after the fact in the news…or you can read about it in The Mo’Kelly Report.

Just sayin’…

Full story HERE

In fact, the Chicago Sun-Times did a SECOND story, outlining some of the more outrageous expenses.

Second story HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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