HARDWICK – Three local nonprofit organizations have filed liens against a Wolcott resident, citing unauthorized withdrawals amounting to $16,909.19, during her time employed as a bookkeeper for each of them.
In the liens filed with Wolcott’s town clerk, Tuesday, Feb. 18, Laurel Schoop is alleged to have misappropriated funds from the three Hardwick nonprofits.
The lien filed by the Northeast Kingdom Arts Council (NEKArts) cited a total of $8,256.10 in unauthorized withdrawals. NEKArts is run by an all volunteer board who live in and around Hardwick. The board facilitates the variety of programming and community events hosted at the Hardwick Town House. The organization is also responsible for the restoration and refurbishment efforts in the historic town house space, a stewardship that began in 2001.
Filed by the relatively new Hardwick Downtown Partnership, the second lien cited a total of $610.09 in unauthorized withdrawals. Hardwick is one of 24 designated towns in the Vermont Downtown Program, which helps support community revitalization while preserving the historic character and enhancing the future of medium to large-sized historic centers. According to their website, the mission of the Hardwick Downtown Partnership is to provide leadership to support the economic, social, cultural and recreational vitality of downtown Hardwick.
photo by Paul Fixx
The lien filed by the East Hardwick Fire District (EHFD) cites a total of $8,043 in unauthorized withdrawals. EHFD serves as the water department for a limited number of residents in East Hardwick.
Representatives of the three organizations met with Hardwick Police Chief Mike Henry, on February 19, reporting their concerns about financial irregularities. He confirms the department is now investigating the allegations, but was unable to share the name of the person alleged to have made the unauthorized withdrawals.
Although NEKArts uses the townhouse space, according to Town Manager David Upson, the town of Hardwick has no relationship with Schoop as NEKArts is a separate 501c3. “No town funds are involved,” Upson said.
Schoop responded to questions about the allegations, saying her house was being sold and she just needed a week to make things right. She added “Don’t ruin my life,” before hanging up the phone and calling a representative of at least one of the organizations alleging her misappropriation of funds, then another, which may be involved in some way.
A search of internet real estate sales sites was unable to confirm the property on which the liens were placed is for sale, nor that Schoop, or the trust owning the property in question, is the owner of other area real estate.
The liens indicate additional detail supporting the claims of misappropriated funds is available from the nonprofit boards upon request. Independently, each organization either declined to share further details while the investigation is ongoing, or in one case failed to respond to a request entirely.
East Hardwick Fire District Announces Embezzlement
by Paul Fixx
EAST HARDWICK – Customers of the East Hardwick Fire District No. 1 (EHFD) who had signed up for email notification from the district received a message, Tuesday, Feb. 25, announcing there has been a theft of under $10,000.
The message, signed by trustees of the district, indicates a contracted bookkeeper embezzled the funds, but it “will not materially impact our existing operations, and our users can be confident we will continue to provide them with safe drinking water.’
The most recent balance sheet available on the district website, from September 2023, shows a cash balance of $158,991.39. The embezzled funds are roughly 6% of those assets.
“The board has filed a police report and taken other actions toward recovery of the funds,” says the message. “We are reviewing our financial procedures to ensure against a repeat of this situation in the future.”
Trustees said, “Hardwick police have asked that we not discuss any further details while their investigation is underway; we will provide updates as appropriate.”
The EHFD web site is ehfd.mystrikingly.com/
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
