A former vice president at the Goodman Community Center in Madison, Wisconsin, has been charged with multiple felonies related to embezzling over $600,000 from the center's funds. Dewayne Powell, 42, allegedly misused the organization's financial resources for gambling and personal expenses over a three-year period. The charges include forgery and theft of movable property. An internal audit and subsequent investigation revealed discrepancies in checks and credit card transactions, leading to his termination and legal action.
Uncovering Financial Irregularities at Goodman Community Center
The discovery of financial irregularities began when Letesha Nelson, the president and executive director of the Goodman Community Center, received alerts from Lake Ridge Bank regarding mismatched signatures on checks. Upon further investigation, she found two suspicious checks payable to a defunct bank. This prompted a deeper dive into Powell's financial activities, revealing that he had approved these checks himself. Additionally, inconsistencies were noted in the use of GCC credit cards assigned to Powell, with transactions not aligning with the center’s operations. The audit also uncovered that Powell had blocked Nelson’s access to detailed transaction records, raising further suspicions.
Nelson's findings included two GCC credit cards registered under Powell's name, one showing foreign transactions and payments to an apartment management agency where Powell resided. The second card revealed additional non-GCC-related expenses. Further investigation by detectives in July 2024 confirmed Powell's frequent visits to casinos and other personal expenditures using the center's credit cards. Financial records showed near-weekly trips to gaming venues and payments for rent, trips, and bills spanning over three years. Powell admitted to signing the flagged checks but claimed they were for maintaining the ATM at the center, a claim disputed by Nelson and Vice President Hope Ballentine. An audit of the ATM revealed a significant discrepancy between the requested and dispensed funds, implicating Powell.
Response and Reforms Following the Incident
Following the revelation of Powell's actions, the Goodman Community Center took immediate steps to address the breach of trust. Nelson and the Board of Directors announced internal policy changes and hired a forensic accounting firm to investigate the incident. The investigation confirmed that no grant or restricted donor funds were misappropriated. Despite the setback, the center emphasized its commitment to moving forward with integrity and strength, assuring supporters that it would not be defined by the actions of one individual.
Powell's criminal history adds another layer of complexity to the case. With prior convictions dating back to 2000, including disorderly conduct, operating after revocation, resisting an officer, and substantial battery as a party to a crime, Powell has faced legal troubles before. His girlfriend also admitted to accompanying him on gambling trips and receiving money if he won, expressing surprise upon learning about the misuse of GCC funds. Powell is scheduled for an initial court appearance on February 27. The Goodman Community Center remains focused on rebuilding trust and continuing its essential services to the community.