STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Charges have been filed against the former Door County Humane Society director for allegedly stealing from the organization.
Carrie Counihan is due for her initial court appearance May 4 on one count of theft in a business setting and 11 counts of identity theft.
A statement signed by Door County Humane Society Board of Directors President Marilyn Jensen posted on the group’s website reads in part:
“Board members discovered the financial problems a few days after the executive director was asked to leave the organization… The organizational restructuring implemented 10 months ago now has the shelter in a much stronger position… Because of your support and generosity, the shelter is financially stable. Please know that enhanced financial controls are in place and your gifts to the Humane Society will be used for the care of animals, just as you expect,” it states.
You can read the full statement here.
Counihan was apparently allowed to make purchases under $1,000 without board approval for the shelter’s operational needs, according to the criminal complaint. Board members became suspicious of the finances and ordered a review of expenses.
During a five-year period, questionable charges including clothing, food and hair appointments, was “estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars,” the complaint reads.
Counihan told investigators she used the shelter credit card ‘by mistake” at times, but claimed she would reimburse the shelter. When confronted with the fact that investigators didn’t find any deposits to the shelter from her personal account, Counihan said she would purchase items for the shelter using personal funds as a method of repayment.
Counihan admitted to using the shelter credit card on 86 transactions totaling $13,197.12. There may be another $9,605.90 in personal expenses she charged to the shelter, according to sheriff’s report attached to the complaint.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).
