LUFKIN, Texas — Two former employees of the Habitat for Humanity of Deep East Texas are under investigation by the FBI. This comes after the nonprofit's board found "significant discrepancies" in its financial records.
According to a news release, the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity Deep East Texas on April 3 were made aware of activities that would violate the organization’s commitment to truth, transparency and accountability. The board suspended the executive director and office administrator pending further review.
After seeing discrepancies in the organization’s financials, the board agreed to fire the executive director and the office administrator. The evidence has been given to the FBI, and the nonprofit is working with the FBI to uncover all alleged financial wrongdoings and to recover funds, the news release said.
People living in homes funded by Habitat for Humanity will not be affected by these events, the nonprofit said.
"In our 39 years of operation, we have endeavored to provide quality housing at affordable rates. We are deeply saddened by these events and are resolved to regain your trust. The support of our community—its donors, volunteers, clients and advocates — is of paramount importance to us," the statement read. "We are taking immediate measures to strengthen and train our board, to recover funds and to move forward so that we can continue to provide quality housing for the residents of Angelina and Nacogdoches counties."