Paper trails can be recreated. You can get copies of checks and deposit slips from the bank. If your group uses a credit card, you can get copies of the statements from the credit card company. Whether or not you get your computerized records back, your group should consider finding an accountant to do a review of your books. As ugly as the situation sounds, that might be the only thing that can put it to rest.
Also, don't get too stressed out about criminal charges. Criminal charges require evidence that you actually took money from the group for your own use. Not following the bylaws or even gross mismanagement isn't a criminal offense.
Good luck -- fingers crossed that they can save the info on your hard drive.
Hi,
I am really sorry you are in this situation and unfortunately I have no miracle answer for you, however, did you have a professional check your computer's hard drive to see if data can be restored, or copied onto an external drive, disk or USB? I know for a fact that it is sometimes possible to retrieve data from seemingly dead computers, so it is worth a try!
I wish you all the best!
I have been the treasurer of a PTO for the last year. I was given absolutely no guidelines on how to do this position. The last PTO turned over absolutely nothing. They gave us 4 blank checks and said "good luck". About a week ago I brought up to the President that I was growing increasingly uncomfortable with the fact that I count the money alone, deposit the money alone, and am the only one looking at the bank account. So, we decided to do an audit. I was happy that this was what we were deciding to do.
Now, since I was given NO GUIDELINES WHAT SO EVER, I had been keeping everything digitally. I had all our information organized, all receipts and deposit slips scanned, everything sorted and presentable. I went to go boot up the computer to get the audit started.... and it was dead.
Now after 8 months of no one ever looking at the bank account, ever saying a word about how I was doing my job, the other PTO members are digging through stuff and throwing accusations out. I absolutely welcomed them to look through the bank account, but without my digital paperwork... I CANT PROVE OR EXPLAIN ANYTHING.
They are saying that our by-laws (which I have NEVER SEEN BEFORE until this happened) said that there are supposed to be 2 signatures on checks over 200 (never has been done, not by the last treasurer either, and when I keep bringing up that we should switch to a 2 signature system they dismiss it), that I was supposed to be giving monthly budgets (I was giving basic budget summaries to everyone each month), and now they are pointing fingers and acting as if I have completely and utterly mishandled things.
I accept full responsibility for what I have done (not backed up my files, not maintained a physical paper trail) but THEFT is not one of the things I am guilty of!
I am so scared right now, especially since I know all it takes is for one person to go "nope this doesn't look right" and I am in possibly criminal trouble. I have no way to prove that I've never done anything wrong. I can't make sense of the bank report without my paperwork, and have no way to defend myself.
What can I do? How can I protect myself? I know without a doubt 100% I have never stolen or misused a penny... but I can't prove it!
