FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Details have come out about the diversion of a former director of the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana diverting nearly $100,000 in Chamber funds for personal use.
Former Chamber executive director Vince Buchanan quietly resigned in 2017 after the Chamber found out about the diversion, with the promise that he would repay the money.
That’s according to a report by Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly, who uncovered the diversion of $96,643 in the organization’s 2016 tax return. On the tax forms, the chamber called it a “loan” made to, and repaid by, Buchanan.
The Chamber’s treasurer, Keith Busse, says they found out about the diversion when Buchanan voluntarily admitted to it before an annual audit would catch it. Apparently, he had fallen behind in trying to prop up a failing restaurant.