Attorney General's News Release

December 20, 2006

Nixon seeks court order for financial accounting of Carthage Humane Society

Carthage, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon has filed a petition for accounting against the Carthage Humane Society Inc. over allegations of taking assets for personal use, gross mismanagement and animal abuse at the non-profit corporation. Under Missouri law, the Attorney General's Office serves as the steward of non-profit assets and has the authority to investigate non-profit organizations.

Earlier this fall Nixon requested records and documentation from the Carthage Humane Society after receiving several complaints. The requests were necessary in order to investigate allegations raised in the complaints. To date, the Carthage Humane Society has produced an incomplete and insufficient set of records, Nixon said, making it impossible for the Attorney General's Office to complete its investigation and determine if the corporation has complied with state law.

"My office has a duty to ensure that non-profit organizations are using their assets in a manner consistent with Missouri laws," Nixon said. "We have been unable to do so due to the Carthage Humane Society's refusal to provide us with an accounting of its corporate assets and activities that we need. Perhaps an order of the court will get their attention."

Nixon is asking for the following records covering the period of Jan. 1, 2001 to the present in the petition for accounting, filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court:

• Names and dates of service for all individuals who have served as directors of officers of CHS;
• List of all payments made to CHS's directors of officers;
• Detailed financial statements, audited or unaudited, including income and expense reports, balance sheets and the board-approved annual budget, along with copies of all audits conducted;
• Copies of all credit card statements for all CHS credit cards and list of authorized users of CHS credit cards, along with copies of receipts for all expenses reimbursed by CHS;
• Copies of the monthly statements for all CHS bank accounts;
• All donation records and receipts from all fund raising events held; and
• A detailed explanation of CHS's policies regarding treatment and euthanasia decisions, adoption procedures and foster placement procedures.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818