An audit released Thursday found that some NAACP officers squandered money on limousines, personal trips, clothing and children's toys at a time when the civil rights organization was plunging into debt.
Myrlie Evers-Williams, chairwoman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People board, announced the findings after a 10-hour meeting with board members."As the nation's oldest civil rights organization . . . we owe the public an honest and forthright accounting of our finances," she said. The organization has been burdened by a $3.8 million deficit.
The audit focuses primarily on three former NAACP officers - Benjamin L. Hooks, who was executive director for 15 years; the Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., who replaced Hooks in 1993 and was dismissed last year after spending $300,000 in NAACP money to settle a sexual discrimination and harassment lawsuit; and William F. Gibson, longtime chairman of the 64-member board.
"We found a specific number of instances in which officer travel and expenses made by the NAACP appear to be excessive or unreasonable in light of its fiscal position, its own policies and procedures regarding such charges, and in comparison to similar charitable organizations," the audit's executive summary said.
"We have also noted specific expenses related to individuals that we have found to be unreasonable and excessive."
That included $32,459 in personal expenses Chavis charged to the NAACP for items such as personal clothing, children's toys and plane flights for relatives, the report said.
Chavis is negotiating the final amount and payback of about $25,000 in personal expenses, Evers-Williams said.
The report also found that Hooks had $5,000 in undocumented trips.