Missing money at hospice

RCMP are investigating the misappropriation of funds from the Central Okanagan Hospice Association.

Castanet has learned that $181,000 went missing from COHA coffers, which was announced to society and board members during the charity's annual general meeting on June 21.

“Through our annual audit, it was suspected monies may have been misappropriated prior to our fiscal year, ending March 31, 2016,” a press release from the organization states.

The board says it has retained a forensic investigator to investigate the matter and has submitted its findings to the RCMP.

“We must not lose sight during this time and remain focused on supporting the dying and the grieving in the Central Okanagan,” COHA said Thursday.

According to an anonymous source, the funds are alleged to have been stolen over a number of years by a former employee.

The August Family Foundation, a major donor, "is saddened to hear this could happen to such an amazing organization. In a time like this, we as a community need to come together and become strong again,” said board member Matt August.

August said the foundation will continue to support hospice.

RCMP would not provide any further details and said they “do not typically confirm or deny investigations unless criminal charges have been laid, if public information is sought in order to advance an investigation, or should investigational findings indicate a public safety risk posed by the outstanding matter.”

The Central Okanagan Hospice Association is a non-profit organization.

It is operated by volunteers and paid staff.