TULSA, Okla. — A local nonprofit serving the LGBT community says they’re verge of closing their doors and they’re looking for donations to prevent that.
This comes after an investigation into a volunteer embezzling at least $130,000 from the nonprofit.
Oklahomans for Equality hosts Tulsa’s annual Pride parade and runs the Dennis R. Neil Equality Center in downtown Tulsa.
The nonprofit said a volunteer from 2014 to 2022 is under investigation for embezzling at least $130,000 from them.
Due to the suspected embezzlement, the nonprofit said they implemented extensive financial controls and did a forensic audit and then a financial audit in 2023.
The nonprofit said the 2023 audit came back clear, confirming their controls are working and funds from the last year have been used properly.
The nonprofit also said this was their first financial audit since 2014, meaning they’ve lost out on years of potential grant funding because they did not have an up-to-date financial audit.
Now, Oklahomans for Equality is asking for the community’s help to keep their services available and their doors open.