To the editor:
At this time, I wish to sincerely apologize to the organizations written about earlier this year for my actions misusing their trust and their bank accounts. I know I completely broke the trust they had in me.
I know, as non-profit organizations, the funds they shepherd are more fragile and need to be handled with a much closer watch safeguarding all funds. I also know, because they trusted me, I took advantage of their kindness and trust in me. I pray that my taking complete responsibility for my actions, no longer having any clients, and fully refunding the funds taken aids the community in holding only me guilty of any action lacking, not those that were victims of my crime.
Thinking that I was not going to keep the funds I took, but just borrow them was not only ridiculously short-sighted, but still a crime. I had told myself it wasn’t. I know I was wrong and I was very ignorant to believe that. Not only can something like this never happen again, as I no longer have access to anyone else’s money, but the damage to the reputation I had built over a life-time being completely destroyed, has made sure of this. I am committed to following the Diversion Recovery program directives. I will strive to never fail to be the person I had been in the past and make sure that the actions of the past year or any similar actions never happen again. I hope at some point in the future my apology can be accepted.
Laurel A. Schoop
Elmore
[Editor’s note: The organizations Laurel A. Schoop references in her letter are three Hardwick nonprofit organizations, NEKarts, the Hardwick Downtown Partnership and the East Hardwick Fire District.]
