We’ve all seen it happen: A car crash in the opposite lanes of a divided highway inevitably slows down traffic in both directions because we just can’t seem to look away. Not only that, but we need to stare as long as possible: Is there blood? A tow truck? Paramedics? The jaws of life? It’s only human nature of course. But it’s not like we’re gonna jump out of our car and perform CPR – right? More like: Whew, I’m sure glad it wasn’t me. Hey, honey, what’s for dinner?
You can rest easy, folks: Nobody here was involved in a traffic mishap, nor even has witnessed one lately. And yet, quite close to home there was a spellbinding spectacle playing itself out recently on the pages of our Roxborough Park Foundation community web forum that was almost as titillating, and nearly as shameful as watching the aftermath of a car crash – at least for all of us looky-loos here in “The Park.” These are our neighbors. This is what happened. And for the life of us, we just can’t seem to look away.
Mar 31, 2023 4:00 pm
Board Statement to Roxborough Park Foundation Homeowners
Today the Roxborough Park Foundation Board of Directors made the decision to terminate with immediate effect the employment of <name redacted>. Two additional maintenance employees have been placed on temporary administrative leave pending finalization of an independent report and Board review. These decisions were not hastily made. Rather they are based on information received during the course of an extensive investigation into an allegation of wrongdoing made by a former insider.
Towards the end of 2022, the Board received information that <name redacted> – and potentially others in the Maintenance Department – had been keeping money paid by recycling companies for the Foundation’s scrap metal rather than providing it to the Foundation as had been done in the past. In response, the Board obtained legal counsel, retained a private investigator to obtain information and conduct interviews, contacted and liaised with law enforcement, and had the Foundation’s finances reviewed. These efforts, conducted over a 4½ month period, revealed the following:
- Though the Foundation had previously received cash for its recycling that was deposited into its “miscellaneous income account” to cover Foundation expenses and reduce Homeowner assessments, those deposits were inconsistent and ceased in 2018.
- <Name redacted> reportedly told certain employees in maintenance to establish accounts in their own name and request cash instead of having checks made out to the Foundation for the metal dropped off from at least two recycling companies.
- Photographic evidence showed that the Foundation’s truck was used for the drop offs and that the Foundation’s logo was covered up. However, the truck’s USDOT number was not covered. This allowed Foundation ownership of the truck to be verified.
- Despite the limited time frame for record retention by the two recycling companies, the Foundation has obtained documentation showing that through March 23, 2023, cash was paid to certain Foundation maintenance employees in exchange for the Foundation’s scrap metal in the amount of $14,885.85, with $10,166.40 in the last 12 months. Nothing was provided to the Foundation.
Based on this information, the Board made the decision to terminate the employees it believed had, or should have had knowledge of, or were involved in, the improper diversion of cash payments for Foundation property. As stated, pending completion of this investigation, two further maintenance employees have been placed on temporary administrative leave. The Board has also determined to take these next steps:
(a) Holding meetings among all departments to reiterate the Foundation’s expectation that employees appropriately handle Foundation property, report potential wrongdoing, and otherwise uphold the standards the Foundation expects.(b) Having an accounting of all tools, equipment, and materials in the Maintenance Department performed.(c) Conducting a review of internal procedures, control, aspects of security, and reporting in order to provide more effective oversight.(d) Providing the results of the investigation to law enforcement to try to obtain restitution for the lost payments.
********
Yikes! Tempest in a Teapot or Thriller in the Making? You make the call. But either way, life here in “The Park” may never be the same. At least for one out-of-work maintenance guy <name redacted> with a big blemish on his employment record, it promises to be a Brave New World for sure. For me though, maybe not so much. After all, I’ve still gotta drop off my recycling this week, same as always. But one good thing about it: We’ve got plenty of local drama to keep our interest up. That’s gotta be worth something at least.
Stay tuned next week for the saga of the (proposed) Nordic Spa, and homeowner reaction to same: No re-zoning! Save our Rox! It promises to be a real barn-burner… if not exactly a car crash.