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ATIKOKAN — After months of controversy and investigation, the Atikokan Native Friendship Centre (ANFC) has fired its executive director.
The centre’s personnel committee posted a brief statement on the ANFC’s Facebook page this week confirming Sarah Laurich’s dismissal.
“On review of the report on the investigation into the allegations made against our executive director, we have made a decision to end her employment,” the statement reads. “As this is a personnel matter, no further comment will be made at this time.”
The committee had ordered an investigation of allegations that ANFC funds were misused during her time at the helm of the organization.
Reached by Newswatch on Friday, Ontario Provincial Police Const. Jason Lortie said a police investigation into allegations of misuse of funds at the ANFC is ongoing.
An online petition and a “walk of solidarity” in May called for a new board and a new executive director following public disclosure of a “whistleblower package,” prepared by a bookkeeper, containing evidence of alleged “ethical misconduct” and “financial misappropriation.”
The petition described the centre at 309 Main St. as a once “thriving hub of community activity” that has seen “a drastic reduction” in services in recent years.
“We see the impact of the lack of programs on our kids and the strain it’s putting on families and individuals already facing challenges,” the petition stated.
Recruitment and hiring of a new executive director will start after the centre’s annual general meeting on Sept. 27, said Dr. Shawn Minor, spokesperson for the personnel committee.
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