ARTS CHARITY SHUTS DOWN AFTER FAILING TO RECOVER FROM EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME

Healing Arts Initiative—a Queens-based charity that provided performances and workshops for over 300,000 poor, disabled, and elderly New Yorkers—shut its doors on Wednesday after it failed to regain its footing from the discovery of a $750,000 embezzlement scheme last year, Andy Newman of the New York Times reports. The charity’s board confirmed that the organization was behind on rent payments and that it would soon probably declare bankruptcy.

Director D. Alexandra Dyer had noticed that money was missing last August and called for a staff meeting. A few days later she was attacked. A man threw a cup filled with drain cleaner on her in the charity’s parking lot. As a result Dyer had to undergo multiple surgeries. Authorities made several arrests in connection with the theft and assault, including the initiative’s bookkeeper, Kim Williams, who faces charges of assault, grand larceny, and conspiracy.

In April, Dyer filed a lawsuit on behalf of the charity. She is suing its board, claiming negligence. The board fired her last week for withholding “critical financial and other information.” Dyer’s lawyer, Ronald G. Russo, said that if the members of the board think they can make the case go away by terminating her employment and filing for bankruptcy “they are sadly mistaken.”