The former director of Siuslaw Outreach Services was not indicted by a Lane County Grand Jury as reported earlier today. However 61-year old Ethel Bassett of Walton was arraigned on four counts of Theft I under information provided by the Lane County District Attorney's office. Bassett's employment with SOS was terminated in November of 2008 and shortly after that an investigation into the disappearance of funds from a court ordered abuse program was begun by Florence Police and the Oregon Department of Justice.
The complete revised press release is shown below:
Florence Police Department
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Huff 997-3515
PIO-Florence Police Department
Date: October 20, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CORRECTION TO PRESS RELEASE
Regarding Former SOS Executive Director Charged in Theft of Funds
On November 13, 2008 Siuslaw Outreach Services Interim Executive Director Donna Boggiano-Chmelicek, along with SOS Domestic Violence Advocate Tony Bour, reported to the Florence Police Department that money appeared to be missing over a period of approximately 4 years.
Detective John Brejska initiated the criminal investigation requesting the assistance of Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Audit Coordinator Douglas Pearson. The Lane County District Attorney’s Office filed an information alleging four felony counts of theft of over $16,000 by Ms. Bassett and not that a Lane County Grand Jury returned an indictment for four counts of Theft 1, felonies, against former Siuslaw Outreach Services Executive Director Ethel G. Basset.
Bassett, 61 years, a resident of Walton, Oregon, appeared in Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene today and was arraigned on the information, not indictment. No plea was entered. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 25, 2009.
During the investigation, DOJ Investigator Pearson said there was a substantial amount of money missing from the Batterer’s Intervention Program. This program is where the courts would order domestic violence offenders to attend classes to prevent the recurrence of such violence. The Oregon Department of Justice commonly assists in investigations in these types of cases.
Siuslaw Outreach Services Board President Alex Koslov stated, “Since the removal of Ethel Bassett as the Executive Director, Siuslaw Outreach Services has continued to serve the community without reducing any services to the community and increased most services.”
Chief Maurice Sanders of the Florence Police Department said, “The advocacy services provided by SOS continue to be critical for the greater Florence community to help reduce incidents of domestic violence and to assist victims during their time need.”
The ARREST WARRANT issued was under Case #200922596/09-3261 and Florence Police Case File 08-4368.
For further information, please contact Det. John Brejska at the Florence Police Department at 541-997-3515. For information regarding the correction to the Press Release please contact Chief Deputy District Attorney Patricia Perlow at the Lane County District Attorney’s Office at 541 682-4261
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