Court documents allege there were financial irregularities at the Montreal SPCA at the time that Pierre Barnoti was executive director, CTV News has learned.
Citing missing documents, statements and invoices, the court documents allege that the general condition of book keeping and accounting during Barnoti's five-year term was "well below standard and requires careful attention."
An "On Your Side" investigation one year ago looked into concerns over certain practices and allegations of financial mismanagement at the animal shelter.
In July 2008, following the investigation, Barnoti was dismissed and several board members resigned.
Forensic accountants study the books
A firm of forensic auditors examined cheques, bank statements and invoices from the five-year period during which Barnoti was the executive director of the Montreal SPCA.
The court papers obtained by CTV News indicate that the firm concluded many important documents were missing.
They also revealed:
- There were $66,200 in charges on a Visa credit card issued by the SPCA to be used by Barnoti -- but no receipts
- Barnoti received two bonuses totaling $50,000, which the accountants state should not have been paid because Barnoti's alleged actions put the Montreal SPCA in "debt and financial jeopardy"
- Barnoti allegedly withdrew up to $2 million from donations raised by Quadriga, the SPCA's fundraising company in New York.
The firm's report alleges that Barnoti's actions put the Montreal SPCA in a "precarious financial situation".
Lawyers for the Montreal SPCA and for Barnoti refused to comment on the court documents.
Barnoti will be in court in September.
