MOUNT VERNON – The Executive Director for NAMI (National Alliance on Mentally Illness) Knox Licking County shared her thoughts with KnoxPages.com about former agency volunteer, Stephanie Gore-Turner indicted this week by the Knox County Grand Jury for stealing $29,000 from the non-profit.
Dodie Melvin said she has known Gore-Turner since 2009. That’s when she became a participant in one of NAMI’s support groups. Gore-Turner started volunteering in the office on E. Vine Street about a year and a half ago and helped lead a support group.
“I thoroughly trusted her…I thought she was our friend,” said Melvin.
Gore-Turner is accused of writing 40 fraudulent checks and using the agency’s debit card to pay for car repairs and for other personal uses.
Melvin noticed something was awry when she discovered that bank statements had been taken out of the agency mailbox and that two checks for $2,000 were written on the same day.
Prosecutor Chip McConville says Gore-Turner is accused of Grand Theft for activity between February and June of this year. She’s also facing forgery charges involving agency records.
The NAMI Knox Licking County office in Mount Vernon has a very limited budget. Melvin herself is a volunteer. The agency office runs on only about $600-$700 per month. That money goes to office supplies, the chat line, telephone and internet. All the funds to run the agency come from bequests, donations, and the sale of snow cones at the annual Dan Emmett Festival. Melvin says they have insurance and that the state office of NAMI has given financial support.
Melvin says the agency has changed how finances will be handled now with more involvment by the board treasurer. She says the work of the agency is going on to help those living with mental illness.