Greyhound Friends Director Barred From Serving In Financial Roles

HOPKINTON, MA—Greyhound Friends, an animal rescue group that has been in the spotlight over animal cruelty allegations against its director, has agreed to institute governance reforms and file reports with the AG’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division following allegations of financial mismanagement, Attorney General Maura Healey announced on Wednesday.

In addition, GHF’s former Executive Director, Louise Coleman, will pay $40,000 and is barred from serving in financial fiduciary roles for Massachusetts public charities after she allegedly misused GHF’s charitable assets and failed to keep appropriate records.

“Our charities count on passionate volunteers to help govern and oversee their operations,” said AG Healey in a statement. “This settlement establishes important guardrails to ensure that Greyhound Friends– and its volunteer board – are equipped to manage charitable assets going forward.”

The agreement with the AG's office confirms with GHF that it has implemented and updated policies and procedures related to management oversight, conflicts of interest, financial controls, executive compensation, and board governance, including staggered board terms and term limits. As a result of these reforms, four current GHF board members will rotate off the Board in 2018 and 2019. The agreement also requires GHF to comply with animal-care related laws and regulations, correct any financial inaccuracies in reports previously filed with the AG’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division, and submit additional semi-annual reports.

"With the conclusion of the Attorney General’s investigation into matters regarding Greyhound Friends, our organization is focused on the future," said Stoddard Melhado, Greyhound Friends president, on behalf of the Board of Directors, in a statement. "Over the past 35 years, Greyhound Friends has re-homed over 10,000 dogs and engaged in results-driven education and advocacy improving the safety and welfare of this unique breed. We look forward to continuing our mission through placing greyhounds in adoptive homes and raising awareness around the need to treat these extraordinary animals with intelligence and sensitivity."

GHF acknowledges its prior failings in formal corporate governance oversight and financial controls, including insufficient board oversight over its executive management, said the announcement from the AG. The governance agreement implements reforms necessary to ensure that management and operational decisions are made in the best interest of GHF’s charitable mission – to operate an adoption shelter for greyhound dogs and other dog breeds and advocate on behalf of greyhounds in an effort to educate the public and improve the conditions of greyhounds in the United States and abroad.

Through a separate consent judgment with the AG’s Office, it is alleged that Coleman was unable to account for cash withdrawals from GHF bank accounts and spent charitable funds on personal expenses. The settlement requires Coleman to pay $40,000 to Greyhound Options Inc., a different charitable organization operating in Massachusetts that focuses on greyhound advocacy and adoption, and whose purpose is consistent with GHF’s original charitable mission.

See also:

The Truth about Greyhound Friends

Alert: AG Investigates Local Greyhound Group

Greyhound Friends Founder's Animal Cruelty Trial Starts Tuesday

Greyhound Rescue Director Steps Down Amid Animal Cruelty Allegations

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