Over $8,000 Allegedly Stolen from Philanthropy Fund (Delta Tau Delta, Moravian Colleg

[exlurker]

A reminder, as if one were needed, of the importance of careful controls over the use of funds for a chapter. Dual signatures, regular reviews of accounts, receipts and other documentation, etc. Yes, all those and more can be a pain, but treasurers, alumni advisors, and RM officers need to be concerned.

As always, of course, what's reported so far are accusations and charges. Please remember that the principle of the presumption of innocence applies.

Report is at:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/beth...ent_frate.html

Excerpts from article on regional news site:

A 21-year-old Moravian College student who is president of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, was accused today of stealing $8,200 from the fraternity's philanthropy fund.
Jason P. Cote, 21, of Fitchburg, Mass., siphoned the money into his personal bank account . . . and spent it, according to court papers.

The [philanthropy fund] bankrolls the fraternity's . . . Cpt. Chris Seifert Memorial Golf Tournament which raises money for Seifert's son's college fund. Seifert, an Army captain, and founding father of the Moravian Delta Tau Delta chapter, was killed in Kuwait in 2003.

Fraternity vice president Rey Benschop confirmed that Cote was accused of stealing the funds . . . .

Court papers did not disclose how Cote allegedly stole the money, why, or how he spent it. . . .

Some NBC Philadelphia coverage has a few more tangential details:

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...erans-Son.html

[tallgreekalum]

As a fraternity man and a Fitchburg,MA man, I'm doubly embarrassed. I plan on sending a check on Mon. and call on any other GCers, especially Delts, to do the same. This would be a chance to turn a black eye into a positive experience, Anyone with me?

[SWTXBelle]

Great idea -wish I could.

[navane]

"The account bankrolls the fraternity's annual Cpt. Chris Seifert Memorial Golf Tournament which raises money for Seifert's son's college fund. Seifert, an Army captain, and founding father of the Moravian Delta Tau Delta chapter, was killed in Kuwait in 2003."

Oh goodness...

If this accusation turns out to be true, shame on Mr. Cote for stealing from a fund meant for a child and son of a veteran lost in war. Shame.

.....Kelly

[LXAAlum]

Originally Posted by tallgreekalum

As a fraternity man and a Fitchburg,MA man, I'm doubly embarrassed. I plan on sending a check on Mon. and call on any other GCers, especially Delts, to do the same. This would be a chance to turn a black eye into a positive experience, Anyone with me?

Great idea. I've been watching a group in Cheyenne, Wyoming that fell into a similar issue...they are a sign language "choir" group (Hands in Harmony...I run a similar group in Greeley, Signs of Faith), and someone http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/...l_02-28-08.txtembezzled all their money literally days before their schedule trip out east to Washington DC, Philly, etc....

Within days of the story breaking in the local paper, community donations poured in, above and beyond what was stolen. Great outcome from a tragic situation...still not sure what became of the alleged thief, though.