Letter: Funds at Charlotte Catholic may have been used improperly

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte diocese is looking into the possible misuse of money donated to Charlotte Catholic High School Thursday.
 
The school's long-time principal is on paid leave during the investigation.
 
The school sent parents a letter Wednesday about the issue.

The superintendent of Catholic Schools in Charlotte met face to face with students and staff members to explain what happened.
 
It said the Charlotte Catholic High School Foundation, which raises money for the school believes that "certain funds may not have been used for proper purposes". 
 
Leaders said they've called in an independent auditing firm to review the school's bank accounts. 
 
In the meantime, the diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools has placed Principal Jerry Healy on paid leave. 
 
Leaders said that's standard in situations like this.

Healy has been at the school since 2003. 
 
Eyewitness News asked the Charlotte diocese how much money may have been misused and what those funds are designated for.
 
A spokesman declined to comment calling it a personnel issue.
 
This isn't the first time the foundation has been in the news.
 
Last fall, Eyewitness News reported it lost its tax-exempt status, because it failed to file the proper 990 tax forms for several years.
 
 A spokesman for the diocese said Friday the current investigation is not related to that incident.

CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Eyewitness News reporter Tina Terry will be asking more questions: How much was taken, how long it was going on for, what funds it came out and how it's affecting students. See the full report on Eyewitness News at 5 p.m.

WSOC