Go to content Go to navigation Go to search

November 05, 2009

Fla. Charity Discloses Harassment Case Involving Late President

A western Florida charity revealed this week that it paid $25,000 last year to settle a sexual-harassment claim against its then-president, who resigned his post last month and subsequently committed suicide, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Michael Bernstein shot himself on October 21, one week after quitting Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Pinellas County, Fla. Shortly before stepping down, he notified board members he had received anonymous accusations of fraud, embezzlement, and sexual harassment.

Lisa Brock, a spokeswoman for the charity, said there “was no admission of guilt” in the 2008 case but that the group’s lawyer advised it to settle. Ray Gadd, interim president of the organization, said the charity is investigating two other harassment complaints by former employees but has “not found any evidence of possible fraud or embezzlement.”

Thursday November 5, 2009 | Permalink

	Post a comment:
Your name		Remember
Your e-mail address
Post this comment
		Textile Help
	Your e-mail address is required, but it will not be posted.

Previous: Two Nonprofit News Efforts Get Under Way
Next: Ex-Children's Charity Official Admits to Stealing $780,000 From Calif. Group

---

Copyright © 2009 The Chronicle of Philanthropy