$135,000 missing from Action for Aids funds, senior staff member sacked
Senior staff member sacked over April incident
About $135,000 was found missing from the operational funds of Action for Aids (AFA) in April this year.
AFA president Roy Chan revealed at the annual general meeting (AGM) on Dec 5 that a senior staff member had been sacked three weeks after the discovery.
A police report was also lodged.
The man has since made restitution of $106,000.
The information surfaced after a copy of the AGM minutes was sent to The New Paper yesterday.
Present at the meeting, which was held at AFA's premises in Kelantan Lane, were 13 life members and nine staff.
AFA is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to fighting Aids/HIV infection in Singapore.
Formed in 1988 in response to the global and local spread of HIV infection, it draws upon a network of healthcare professionals, advocates, educators and volunteers, to implement educational, testing, treatment and welfare programmes.
It is a registered charity and has been recognised as an Institution of Public Character since 2004.
Professor Chan, who chaired the AGM, said AFA acted quickly after it was informed by its accountants.
He said "multiple emergency exco (executive committee) meetings were called".
There were also meetings with the staff member.
Other staff were also interviewed to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing money.
"Swift action" was also taken to prevent further irregularities - he was suspended almost immediately, while staff duties were re-organised and a thorough assessment of AFA accounts was carried out with their accountants.
Prof Chan said AFA's sector administrators in the Health Ministry and Health Promotion Board were told, once AFA confirmed the loss of monies.
The administrators were also informed that the man was subsequently terminated, about three weeks after the discovery of the embezzlement.
When told of the case, several people who have Aids expressed their shock and disappointment.
A 40-year-old dancer who would only give her name as Lucy, said: "How could he do that? He was in a trusted position to manage money meant for needy HIV and Aids patients."
A freelance writer who wanted to be known only as Rick, 38, said: "This is such a blow towards HIV support."
When contacted, an AFA spokesman said: "Given that there is an ongoing police investigation into this matter with which Action for Aids is cooperating fully, we regret that we are unable to comment further."
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