St. Paul Charity Bans Executives’ Perks

A nonprofit organization in St. Paul that employs disabled people has made clear that its executives are no longer allowed to participate in gambling, yacht parties, and golf outings on the organization’s time, reports the Star Tribune.

The new chairman of Minnesota Diversified Industries’ board of directors, Tim Hoffmann, who began his position this week, imposed the prohibition after the newspaper reported about the perks given to officials of the nonprofit organization in an article on Sunday.

The charity-run business makes boxes and packages stamps for the U.S. Postal Service through a federal program that contracts with such nonprofit businesses.

Mark de Naray, its chief executive, took other executives and spouses on planning sessions at resorts, paid for by the charity. Mr. de Naray told the newspaper that the $8,000 tab for one such resort outing as well as other such expenses were within reason.

“When you work as hard as we do at this business and you need time away to get your thoughts on a strategic plan, that’s how you do it,” Mr. de Naray told the newspaper.

Mr. Hoffmann did not comment on any consequences for Mr. de Naray but said the executive board would discuss the disclosures of perks at a meeting later this week.