Medford, OR – The president of the Medford Paraprofessional Union is under investigation following allegations of embezzlement after a financial audit revealed that up to $50,000 may be missing from the union’s accounts.
According to a police report, the union’s leadership hired an independent accountant to review the union’s finances amid growing concerns about potential financial mismanagement. The audit reportedly uncovered significant discrepancies, raising alarm among union members, who have been asking for transparency about their dues and how the money was spent.
“We have many questions,” said union member Rosemary Saeed. “We’re very concerned.”
Members of the union, which represents paraprofessionals working in Medford’s public schools, are seeking answers about the missing funds, which they say have left them with little information about the union’s financial standing. Adding to their worries, the union’s tax-exempt status was revoked due to what officials have described as financial irregularities.
“We’ve asked many times for statements and for answers, and we don’t get them. So maybe now we’ll be able to get them if police are involved,” said Heidi Alarcon, another union member.
At the center of the investigation is Gina Coppola, the union’s president, who has held the position for over two decades. Coppola has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the funds were spent on legitimate and necessary expenses. In an interview with NBC10 Boston, Coppola said the money in question was used for various union-related costs, including payments for building representatives, who are compensated for their time spent negotiating contracts and handling grievances.
“The bulk of the money went to me and to the building representatives for phone, gas, and time served on boards for negotiations, for grievances, and for meetings,” Coppola explained. “There were seven building reps who did a lot of work.”
Despite Coppola’s defense, union members are skeptical, citing the absence of clear financial records to substantiate her claims. Coppola has also stated that minutes from prior meetings, which she believes would prove her case, are currently missing.
“I have nothing to hide,” Coppola said. “But I can’t find the paperwork right now. That’s the problem.”
Union board members have expressed frustration over the lack of documentation and clarity. “We just want answers, and we want to know where the money is and how it was spent,” said Alarcon.
The ongoing investigation has raised serious questions about financial oversight within the union, with members demanding greater transparency regarding how their dues have been handled. The outcome of the investigation could have broader implications for union governance, especially given the financial irregularities that led to the revocation of the union’s tax-exempt status.
As the probe continues, both the union leadership and its members await further developments, with many hoping that the investigation will bring clarity and restore trust in the union’s financial practices.