WILLMAR -- The executive board of the Pact 4 Family Collaborative unanimously voted at a special meeting Friday to fire Executive Director Toni Braness.
Braness is facing three felony counts of theft by swindle in connection to the alleged misuse of gift cards and certificates at Pact 4, a joint powers entity between Kandiyohi, Meeker, Renville and Yellow Medicine counties. Its purpose is to provide services for families and for children with mental health issues.
The board received a report last week from the State Auditor's Office outlining information found in the agency's investigation. The criminal charges were also filed. Braness is charged with using fraudulent applications for assistance to steal more than $10,000 between January 2005 and June 2006. Braness' first court appearance is set for Monday in Kandiyohi County District Court.
In her motion to terminate Braness, board member Jill Bruns said that Braness's actions had hurt the agency's employees, the families it serves and its partners. Board member Mary Potter seconded the motion.
"Clearly we have enough evidence to terminate," Potter said. "A substantial amount of gift cards are missing."
ADVERTISEMENT
A call to Braness' attorney was not returned Friday afternoon.
The board analyzed its options of terminating, seeking a resignation or taking no action at all. The board's attorney, Tom Kramer, advised the board that its decision is much different than the criminal charges against Braness.
"The criminal case needs to be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, ours is a preponderance of the evidence," he said.
The board directed Kramer to draft a letter informing Braness of the termination. By the agency's policy, she has five days to ask for a hearing before the board, which then would happen within 10 days of her request.
Braness has been on paid medical leave since July. She and her attorney notified Kramer and two board members Friday that she has been approved by the Social Security Administration for complete disability benefits.
