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WEIRTON - After announcing it would be closing its doors a few weeks ago, a local nonprofit organization that served residents in Hancock and Brooke counties now finds itself the subject of an investigation.
In a press release issued Thursday evening, officials with the Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network announced operations of the nonprofit had been halted after a review of its finances uncovered some inconsistencies.
"The Board of Directors of the Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network ceased operation in August after possible fraudulent activities were uncovered by an independent financial auditor. We have notified the West Virginia State Police and are cooperating with their investigation. We are working with local organizations to have as many programs as possible continue. No further comments will be given until the investigation is complete."
The agency initially announced a temporary closure in May to "work through operational matters," according to a social media post at the time, with officials pointing to a lapse in various state grants that supported many of their programs.
The BHFRN was founded in 1995 with the receipt of a West Virginia Family Resource Network grant.
It operated several programs extending through the Northern Panhandle, including Family Support Centers, a food security team, teen court, the Coalition for Disability Inclusion, substance use prevention, Holiday Helpers, parental resource programs, Parents as Teachers, a child passenger safety program and a tax preparation program.
It also organized and supported several community events, such as the annual Brooke and Hancock Backpack and Resource Fair, the City of Weirton’s Earth Day activities and Disability Independence events, as well as distributions with Mountaineer Food Bank.