The Anderson Police Department has dropped its 18-month-long investigation into prominent community leader Susan Wilson, who was terminated from her position as executive director of the Redding-based Youth Options Shasta nonprofit for alleged financial mismanagement.
The probe began after concerns were raised regarding compensation increases Wilson received while she was director of the nonprofit.While investigators identified “concerns regarding the manner in which compensation increases were approved and documented,” a statement from the Anderson police agency said Thursday, the compensation amounts in question were included in annual budgets that were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors each year.
In their social media statement on May 7, Anderson police said the compensation checks made out to Wilson “were signed by other board members(s) and/or other staff members, not by Wilson.”
The agency’s announcement went on to say that it makes arrest decisions based on evidence and legal standards required for criminal prosecution, “not public opinion or speculation.”
At first, Youth Options was “reluctant” to provide financial documents, requesting subpoenas before turning the records over, said the statement from the Anderson police force. Recently, the group did provide some financial records, police said.
“Detectives conducted an extensive review of financial documents, organizational bylaws, board records and other relevant materials related to Youth Options’ budgeting and compensation practices over a period of several years,” said Anderson law enforcement officials.
The police investigation concluded that “Wilson received multiple annual pay increases” that were included in the nonprofit’s annual operating budgets and were ultimately approved each year by the Youth Options board.
“However, the investigation also revealed that the process outlined in the organization’s bylaws for approving compensation was not followed,” the statement from the Anderson Police Department said.
Reached for comment Thursday afternoon, Wilson said, “I am really happy this is over with,” adding that she spoke with Anderson police about a year ago. Wilson had not been charged with any crime as the police said their investigation was ongoing.
Wilson said her “heart is with Youth Options Shasta. I feel like I helped build it. I loved that place. It hurt very badly when this happened. I want them to grow bigger and better. I don’t want to do anything that will hurt that organization.”
The Anderson Police Department said it had taken over the investigation after the Redding Police Department identified potential conflicts of interest.
The matter was initially reported to police on Sept. 12, 2024 by Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye, who alleged that Wilson had stolen money from Youth Options by giving herself raises and benefits without the board’s approval. Crye is a member of the Youth Options board.
In a letter sent to Youth Options’ community partners on Sept. 17, 2024, former Youth Options board chair Aleta Carpenter announced Wilson’s departure, saying “after careful consideration, our board of directors has decided to part ways with executive director Susan Wilson.”
Wilson was succeeded by the current Youth Options executive director, Jennifer Coulter.
The situation came to public light at a Feb. 10 Board of Supervisors’ meeting after Crye revealed that the nonprofit’s board had voted to “pursue criminal charges against a former director for financial crimes.”
Crye had sought to reclaim up to $37,000, which a heavily redacted copy of an Anderson police report attributed to an unnamed individual’s unapproved raises and benefits in the law enforcement agency’s investigation of “a financial crime with a nonprofit in Shasta County.”
The Record Searchlight obtained a copy of the report from the agency through a California Public Records Act request.
The Record Searchlight was unable to independently verify claims that Wilson gave herself raises, or that she had received unapproved benefits during her time as executive director.
A telephone call to Crye for comment on Thursday was not returned in time for this story’s deadline.
Michele Chandler covers public safety, reports on trials in Shasta County Superior Court, writes about restaurants and foodies and handles whatever else comes up for the Redding Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. Accepts story tips at 530-338-7753 and at mrchandler@gannett.com. Please support our entire newsroom’s commitment to public service journalism by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Police drop investigation into ex-Youth Options Shasta director
Reporting by Michele Chandler and Drew Askeland, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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