Chamber discusses money and parade

By: MICHAEL BORDELON
News Editor

The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce discussed the recent embezzlement activity discovered by Executive Director Camille Fontenot during its meeting Monday, November 17.

Fontenot said she first noticed funds missing around October 21.

“There was a large amount of cash we got from the Ville Platte birthday party that was never deposited,” Fontenot said.

Fontenot added she began checking records and realized something was not right, so she questioned secretary Elizabeth Ashley Charrier, who admitted to keeping the funds.

“She did such an excellent job with everything else,” Fontenot said. “I never suspected that from her.”

To date, Fontenot stated Charrier has made $3,600 of restitution with the help of her mother.

During the week of Thanksgiving, Fontenot added Certified Public Accountant Vic Slaven will perform an audit to determine exactly what is missing. Since Charrier was released from her duties as secretary, Fontenot said passwords and logins for the computer system have been changed.

In other business, the chamber:

•Set the date for the Ville Platte Christmas parade to December 7, at 6 p.m. Christmas in the Square will also be held December 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.