San Gabriel Valley : Police Seize Financial Data of Agency That Helps Needy
Launching an investigation into a Pasadena agency that helps the needy, police have seized financial documents from the group’s headquarters and from the home of its chief executive officer.
Officers armed with search warrants have confiscated records of Foothill Area Community Services Inc., a nonprofit agency that serves poor, elderly and disabled residents in the western San Gabriel Valley, authorities said.
Pasadena Sgt. Mike Meza said investigators are trying to determine if money has been embezzled or misused. The FBI is assisting in the investigation, which could take several months, police said.
Emmell Beech, the agency’s chief executive officer, was not available for comment Thursday. Police said Beech is not a target of the investigation.
On Thursday, while programs ranging from senior meals to preschool classes continued as usual, Pasadena police pored through agency files.
The agency, which has more than 60 employees and a budget of about $3 million, began sending letters Thursday to its funding sources, both public and private, to assure them that the board is also looking into the issue, said board chairwoman Sally Mosher.
“We’re seeking as much information as we can to see what can be done to keep [the agency] operating,” Mosher said.
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