Spending discrepancies with the corporate credit card
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Arviat (Nov 13/00) - Large sums of money frequently withdrawn from bank machines with a corporate credit card eventually drew attention to Paul Quassa.
 Paul Quassa |
Quassa is one of only five people at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) with a corporate card and on Oct. 31, the board suspended him after accusing him of misusing funds.
How much money is involved remains in question.
Last week the birthright organization accused Quassa of spending more than $36,000 of NTI's money. As of Friday night, however, a review was under way to establish a firm figure.
The NTI board extended the suspension on Nov. 6 followed a four-hour teleconference with Quassa.
The board's 11 members were not convinced that the embattled president was prepared with receipts of his expenses and a repayment and reconciliation plan.
"He was supposed to submit receipts and expense forms, but according to the board he didn't complete everything," said first vice-president and acting president James Eetoolook.
"We don't have another meeting scheduled; it is up to (Quassa) when we will meet again."
Quassa refused to comment on the situation.
According to NTI regulations, Quassa can be suspended for 90 days with pay.
However, the board of directors does not have the authority to dismiss the president. Only the NTI membership, which gathers for annual general meetings, can make that decision.
Coincidentally, NTI's next AGM starts in Arviat tomorrow and wraps up on Friday.
Quassa's presidential duties are currently on hold, including the cancellation of his third attempt to visit Inuit living in Yellowknife on a Western community tour.
