From Western Mass-
As the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts prepares to close on the sale of the Bement Camp and Conference Center near Worcester this week, a group of camp alumni has called on the state attorney general to investigate the handling of funds held in trust by the diocese.
In a statement Tuesday, the diocese said it was both "surprised and disappointed" by the development and said the funds entrusted in its care have been handled properly.
"All diocesan funds, including those to support the Bement Camp and Conference Center, are invested, managed and expended in compliance with the directions of the donor, if any, church canons and applicable Mass. and federal laws," Steven Abdow, administration and finance officer, wrote to the Gazette on behalf of the diocese.
Situated on more than 300 acres in Charlton and Spencer, the camp closed in 2009 after 60 years of operation. The sprawling grounds, which once drew nearly 1,000 summer campers from New England and various countries, has been on the market and is expected to change hands this week, according to the diocese.
Given the impending sale, former camp alumni under the Bement Alumni Association are pressing the AG's office to investigate what they describe as "appearances of irregularities" in the management of money held in trust by the diocese. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the AG's office said it was not yet aware of an official complaint from the group and therefore could not say whether a review is under way.
More here-
http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/11/30/episcopal-diocese-under-fire-over-camp-funds
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