Countywide : Payment to National United Way Is OKd

The United Way of Ventura County voted Thursday to reinstate its financial support of the United Way of America, the scandal-plagued umbrella organization that provides national services to local United Way groups.

After United Way of America President William Aramony stepped down in February amid charges of misallocation of funds, the United Way of Ventura County voted to withhold its annual dues until all allegations of financial improprieties had been cleared, said Colleen Hunter, president of the United Way of Ventura County.

In a unanimous vote Thursday morning, the local board approved a payment of $52,500 to the national organization for services such as fund raising, advertising and research that the local chapter could not otherwise afford.