A disturbing complaint from a site called ComplaintsBoard popped up in my Google Reader because it was arts-related in nature. The complaint was regarding a Philadelphia-based art studio catering to the disabled where the director is being accused of funneling money from the studio to build a new home.

Clearly, without any evidence and just this single accusation, there is no way to determine what is really happening. However, it struck me as sad that this person decided to write what seems like a rather earnest plea for help on an internet message board. With that, here is the complaint,

Members are observing that director is using funding for disabled artists to build a new home. Also is paying for services only to friends and family members. Studio is not growing. All disabled members are volunteers. Director is laughing on the way to the bank on our cause. What can we do to stop this?

This complaint brings up an interesting point for would-be whistleblowers in any organization. What could this person legally do to investigate the issue further in a reasonable, cost-effective manner? What is the most effective way to stop real or perceived fraud while protecting one’s own interests and not being accused of libel, for instance?

Tags: Arts, Fraud

This entry was posted on Friday, May 28th, 2010 at 10:31 am and is filed under Art. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.