Officials say money has been embezzled for years from a group dedicated to ending hunger in Vermont.
Hunger Free Vermont Executive Director Marissa Parisi says the theft was discovered last month by the organization's local bank branch. Irregularities were found in a checking account.
The amount of the theft — which had been going on for at least seven years — has not been determined. Parisi told the Rutland Herald it's likely hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A suspected employee, who was not identified, has been terminated. Police are investigating.
The group is now requesting donations to replenish its operating cost reserve fund and offset costs involving the investigation. Some of their work is at risk of being halted and planned expansions must be postponed.
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