Audit Clears D.C. United Way

Officials of one of the nation’s largest United Ways say an audit by an independent accounting firm has found no evidence of mismanagement at the charity. The United Way of the National Capital Area, in Washington, has been torn by heated disagreements among board members and complaints by some employees alleging that its management misused funds (The Chronicle, February 7).

The United Way has not yet released the audit to the group’s board or to the public.

At a board meeting April 2, Anthony J. Buzzelli, chair of the organization’s audit committee, summarized the findings of the accountants, McGladrey & Pullen, by saying, “Based on the results of the auditors’ work, we can assure the public that no monies have been diverted from their intended use,” according to a United Way press release.

During the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, board members said, Mr. Buzzelli answered numerous questions about concerns raised since last summer, when a memo by a former board member, Ross W. Dembling, questioned how the United Way had spent funds on rehabilitation of its office, a consulting contract with its former chief executive, and travel expenses by current leaders.

In an interview, one board member who had been questioning the charity’s leadership — senior vice president Donna Kloch — said, “I’m satisfied the audit was thorough, but I have some more questions about things that weren’t brought out at the board meeting. I would like to see the documentation in the audit report.”

Anthony DeCristofaro, spokesman for the United Way, said he expected the audit report to be released to board members by next month’s meeting, although he was not sure if thousands of financial documents supporting the auditors’ findings would be included.