My question involves criminal law for the state of: Ohio
I am the president of a non-profit.
I recently discovered that a small ongoing fundraising effort account was short almost $1000.
The account has always been in cash. I discovered this on May 3 and made a move to have the account turned into the main treasurer so that it could be properly administered.
When the money was turned into the treasurer is when the shortage was discovered.
The previous administrator of the account has turned in all paperwork, receipts, etc showing the fund balance as of 11 months ago, when the fund was turned over to the new chairperson. (unfortunately, since these 2 people were friends, they did not see the need to sit down and count the money together and sign off on anything verifying this transfer)
We have had 4 fundraising events for this account since the changeover of chairperson.
There are no records for the first event, but we have sales receipts and invoices from the other three.
We have been piecing together an accounting record using these documents turned over by the current chairperson.
I had a meeting with the current chairperson in hopes that there was a misunderstanding or accounting error that caused the issue. My questions were not satisfactorily answered and I removed the person from the position of responsibility (volunteer organization).
I do not know what my next step should be.
I will be calling our CPA and our insurance agent for advice, but I'm afraid, since we have no official documentation of the fund turnover 11 months ago that I am up a creek as far as being able to prove anything... I can't call a lawyer as we do not have the kind of money required - are there pro bono services available for small non-profits?
Advice?

