OK how is the SSA going to come back from this one.

Does the CEO of the corporation not have to sign and or approve
expenditure even as mundane as a simple tax bill/return?

Why is Gleason on paid administrative leave and not terminated for
failure to perform?

Why isn't Dennis Wright on paid administrative leave after this
debacle pending investigation?

Why did the auditors not pick this up?

Does the CEO and CFO not have to sign and approve any annual tax
filings?

Why was the ex-com not informed until now as this has been going on
since 2003?

How on earth did this go for this long unnoticed?

Is this the end of the SSA as an effective representative body?

Are SSA members not liable for a portion of the tax unpaid and
penalties?

Lot of questions but man after the Sanderson issue it cannot get much
worse.

Al


wrote:
Let's not shoot the messenger.

I agree. But I'm referring not to the individual who chose to post the
SSA's message to its members, but to the real messenger: the SSA
Executive Committee.

I suspect they're wrestling with the typical real-world issues that
cause most situations like this to be anything but black or white:
i.e., balancing a natural desire to dismiss the employee who apparently
breached the trust placed in him against considerations such as:

- determining the extent of any losses (did the SSA simply not pay
its bills or are funds missing?) and who may have been involved;
- recovering assets
- collecting the information necessary to file delinquent tax
returns and determine the amount of unpaid withholding taxes
- gaining cooperation that may be critical in the foregoing efforts;

- obtaining and preserving legally admissible evidence;
- evaluating civil and criminal options, including what recourse the
SSA may have against individuals and organizations;
- avoiding any steps that might leave the SSA open to accusations of
libel or wrongful termination (in this country, anything is possible);
careful readers of the letter will note that it is limited to
statements of fact and to Alan Gleason's own admissions--it avoids
other allegations.
- ensuring the damage is contained by implementing better controls;
- dealing with accountants and advisors who may have some explaining
to do;
- retaining and working with legal counsel;
- negotiating with federal and state tax authorities to mitigate
interest and penalties
- communicating with the board, the officers, and the members, etc.

As a 40+ year SSA member, I would be understating it to say I'm angry
and frustrated and depressed at this latest news. But the fact remains
that this time, unlike another unhappy situation in the past, the SSA
Executive Committee made what appears to be timely and extensive
disclosure, remarkably so (given our legal environment) regarding Alan
Gleason's admissions.

Let's confirm the wisdom of their decision by behaving responsibly.
We're free to raise questions, in particular of our elected directors.
But rather than second-guessing, speculating, offering ill-informed
advice, spreading rumors, or accusing anyone, I suggest that we all
stay tuned to www.ssa.org...and to the nearly instantaneous repostings
to this newsgroup by "helpful" members.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"