"Minor Lacrosse launches internal investigation"

But criminal investigation continues, say police

By Paul Baswick

SIX NATIONS - The Six Nations Minor Lacrosse Association's new executive is launching an internal investigation into missing funds involving the organization's former treasurer.

Wendy Staats, Minor Lacrosse treasurer for the 2001 season, added substance to persistent rumours within the organization last Tuesday by admitting her role in the disappearance of thousands of dollars from the organization's coffers.

The amount of funds traced to Staats was about $25,000, 2001 third vice-president Art Martin stated at the Jan. 22 general annual meeting. That amount, he added, had been repaid down to a balance of $12,838.

The new executive, selected last week, is forming a joint executive/community finance committee charged with conducting an internal investigation of transactions for the years 2000 and 2001, newly appointed association president Carmen Thomas said Tuesday.

"One of the outcomes of that finance committee working together is to present the facts. We're going to go to the community with it. They're going to have lots of questions and we have to have the answers. That's what we want to prepare for, and then we're going to leave it for them to decide," said Thomas.

"We would hope that Wendy would work with us on this. She's openly admitted that she has done wrong, but if she can take that further and face the community, face the parents. That's her big test. She came to our meeting on Saturday and apologized and she's very sorry for what she's done. She's living through her own personal hell right now."

Thomas said he expects the committee and the executive will be able to give the community answers in fairly short order.

"We hope to have this resolved within the next three weeks. We're going to be working hard."

He said it is likely a decision will be made whether to pursue criminal charges against Staats once the financial details are presented to the public.

"We're going to take direction from them. That's the way we're looking at it," he said.

"One of the suggestions that came forward last Saturday was that we present the facts, take it to the community, put a ballot

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up and let them decide."

But the executive's decision to launch an internal investigation won't stop an ongoing investigation into the matter by local police, Six Nations Police Public Relations Officer Arnold Jacobs said Tuesday.

Jacobs confirmed a criminal investigation is indeed in motion, despite claims to the contrary made by some members of the former executive at the Jan. 22 meeting.

"The investigation is continuing," said Jacobs.

"It was set in motion by the former executive, and unless we are formally notified by the new executive to do otherwise, it will continue."

He said the police's investigation, however, hinges upon information that will come out through Minor Lacrosse's internal investigation.

If the executive puts the decision on pressing charges to a public vote, and the decision is made not to press charges, the new executive will be required to formally notify Six Nations Police in writing that they will not pursue the matter, according to Jacobs.

If, however, charges are to be sought against Staats, the executive will need only to forward their internal findings to police for the criminal investigation to proceed.

The internal investigation is one of the new initiatives the 2002 executive is pursuing to foster greater trust and transparency within the organization, said Thomas.

"The first thing that has to be done is to make sure [the books] are up-to-date, because they're a mess right now, a total mess."

Apart from the $25,000 tied to the investigation, the association owes Six Nations Parks and Recreation an outstanding $20,000 in used floor time. Six Nations Minor Lacrosse also ran a $5,007.14 deficit in 2001.

"The second thing is that if there are any dealings with money that we will ensure that people sign off for it."

"We've also implemented a new clause in the constitution this year stating that the president would ensure that an audit be completed annually."

Thomas says the executive has asked Six Nations Financial Controller Debra (Bedge) Vyse to help implement a new system of "checks and balances" in the organization.

"She can't really commit herself to sit on [the finance committee] but we've asked her to put down in writing some of her thoughts in terms of control measures."

In addition to addressing financial concerns, Thomas says the new executive is looking to pursue partnerships with organizations such as the local Arrows and Chiefs lacrosse teams to help promote the positive image of the sport on the reserve.