Tim--good points made--especially concerning fiduciary responsibility and the begging for one more week, then another, then another, etcetera. I hear ya on all that. And like I said, at 7 weeks-- you can be pretty sure what's going on.
But...when you say "I've got a big problem with that[acting before you have all the facts]", am I to understand that you're advocating acting before you know what you're dealing with, and IF you should be wrong--Sorry? Potentially RUIN someone's life, their children's lives, definitely the PTA/PTO's reputation, and possibly YOUR reputation because you're pretty sure something is wrong? THAT I have a problem with. I'm not saying a leader should act as some sort of counselor or financial advisor--that's just silly. I'm just saying try to find out what you can BEFORE you go to the police. While doing the morally superior thing is admirable on some level, it's not ALWAYS right either.
And as far as the "amatuer detective" thing--believe me--I know from experience and through friends in the field--if you think all police are as dedicated, professional and intelligent as the "CSI" guys or Elliot Ness, you are mistaken. If you REALLY believe what you're saying about police being trained in how to handle these types of situtations and having the expertise to handle them without bungling it, God Bless. You must have had FAR better experiences than some of us concerning these matters. And I'm NOT saying that all police are corrupt, or stupid or [place whatever derogatory anti-police adjective you want here]. Again--that's just silly. Like I said, MY take is to find out what you can before you take action, and if it's not resolved in a timely matter--you HAVE to act. Like you said--it's your responsibilty.
What this thread was about was to advise someone on how to handle THEIR situation. NONE of us have the "correct" answer, because no two cases are the same. It's just people throwing their two cents in there to give support to someone going through a bad time. While I believe in what I espouse, as I'm sure you believe in your philosophy, I have to say I feel uncomfortable that the thread has gone from being about, and advising BERTHA, to having to defend what I or anyone else has to say about her situation. That's not what this thread is about. Should a topic concerning the issue being argued right now be posted in the "Legal" section, then I'd feel it was appropriate.
Bertha--I hope you weren't scared away by all the bickering, and that you know no one is judging your actions or lack thereof. It's just that everyone feels so pasasionately about doing what's right that sometimes you can't see the forest for all the trees! [img]tongue.gif[/img]