Investigation of Troy foster care agency leads to firing, resignation

TROY — UPDATE @ 8:09 p.m. (Nov. 30): Computers and boxes of documents were seized last week from nonprofit Troy-based Isaiah's Place, a foster care agency, as part of an investigation into allegations that at least $100,000 in agency funds were converted for personal uses, according to court documents.

No charges have been filed in the investigation of Isaiah’s Place at 1100 Wayne St., a Christian-based agency that works with foster agencies in 10 counties, according to its website. It was founded in 2003.

Steven Justice, a lawyer representing the agency, said the financial issues came to light in the past two weeks.

Agency director Kelley Gunter has resigned since the search warrant was served Nov. 23 and agency financial officer, her brother Matthew Gunter, has been terminated, Justice said.

Employee Irene Early has been named interim director as Justice and board members work with the state on ensuring the agency continues operations, the attorney said.

“The others who work there are very hard working people who do a fantastic job of running the agency,” Justice said. “This is a good agency. It has done good work.”

According to an affidavit filed in Miami County Municipal Court, an agency employee told police in November that agency funds had been used for gambling, casino trips, home repairs, vacations, clothing and tanning sessions, among other expenses.

According to the search warrant, an employee told police of the alleged misuse before an audit was performed because the employee said the audit would disclose the problems.

In the search warrant inventory filed with the court, police reported seizing computers along with payroll and bank records, receipts, tax paperwork, board meeting information and other paperwork.

Troy Police Capt. Jeff Kunkleman said investigators contacted the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for advice because of the amount of documents seized.

— Nancy Bowman, Contributing Writer

FIRST REPORT (Nov. 23)

Troy Police executed a search warrant Wednesday afternoon at Isaiah’s Place, a private state-funded foster care agency.

Officers removed several documents from the agency, located at 1100 Wayne St.

No arrest was made, said Capt. Joe Long of Troy police. He said officers acted on an anonymous tip that as much as $100,000 could be missing. They’ve been investigating the case for about two weeks, Long said.

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