Sand Cay manager fired over mishandled funds

ONLINE CORRECTION: An online reader comment posted in February under a report titled, "Sand Cay manager fired over mishandled funds," was incorrect. The manager was never employed at Casa del Mar Condominium.

Sand Cay Manager Judy Paul was fired Jan. 22, and a police investigation has been opened due to allegations that Paul diverted approximately $13,000 of the condominium’s funds for personal use.

In a letter to condominium owners dated Jan. 22, Sand Cay Board President Shirley Manning wrote that auditor Tom Menchinger uncovered inconsistencies during a recent audit of the condominium’s financial records. When they couldn’t be resolved immediately, Paul was placed on administrative leave.

According to the letter, the board discovered documents the week of Jan. 22 that supported the alleged improper use of funds.

“This was most disappointing to me and all the board members and left us no choice but to terminate Judy’s employment,” Manning wrote. “Please understand that, while this affects all of us and you have a right to know what’s going on, we believed that, until something more than questions were raised, accusations against Judy were unfounded and inappropriate.”

Manning declined to comment when contacted by The Longboat Observer.

According to Longboat Key Police Capt. Kristina Roberts, Sand Cay board member Bob Fisher filed a police report last week, and an investigation is ongoing. As of Tuesday morning, Roberts said that she had not yet made contact with Paul but plans to within the next week. A forensic audit, which could take two to three weeks, will take place to determine the amount of funds that was mishandled.

“We’re waiting on the outcome of that report,” Roberts said.

If the investigation supports the allegations, Paul could face grand-theft charges.

In her Jan. 22 letter, Manning said that the condominium’s insurance company has been notified about the situation. The condominium’s board has begun an internal review of its 2009 records and plans to begin a formal audit as soon as possible. According to the letter, daily bookkeeping and records have been contracted out to an accountant, and most checks now require two signatures.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]