WRAP Making Changes After Executive Director Resigns
This video is no longer available.
JACKSON, Tenn. – There are new details in the resignation of the embattled executive director of the Wo/Men’s Resource and Rape Assistance Program. After weeks off the job, following a shocking state audit was made public, Margaret Cole resigned as the leader of WRAP, whose mission is to help victims of domestic abuse and rape. WRAP officials told 7 Eyewitness News the timing of all this is terrible. They have some big events coming up, but they are moving forward and said there will be more oversight in the future so something like this does not happen again. Many West Tennesseans believe Margaret Cole made the right move by stepping down as WRAP’s executive director after allegations that she misused funds and even asked an employee to lie. “That $8,000 is a lot of money to be misappropriated, and I think that they did the right thing by stepping aside just to let others who know more the way things should be, do the thinking for them,” Jackson resident Kay Crick said. Two weeks ago, the state released an audit, stating the non-profit organization misused more than $8,500 in grant money. “I just think it’s terrible. The money is out there to help these women, and you just really can’t trust anyone these days,” Jackson resident Rhonda Jones said. WRAP’s Board of Directors told 7 Eyewitness News no other money was misused or is unaccounted for. WRAP officials said they were not comfortable giving 7 Eyewitness News Margaret Cole’s salary, so a public information request was presented. In 2010, Cole made more than $72,000. Last year, she made almost $75,000. And up until she resigned this year, Cole made more than $61,000. If she stayed with WRAP until the end of the year, by our estimations, she would have made about $85,000. WRAP officials said Cole’s salary was fair, since she had been with them for 17 years. “It’s a really sad situation, but it can be remedied by the right people and the right place,” Crick said. Margaret Cole could not be reached for comment. WRAP officials said the search committee will begin meeting next week. For now, program director Calista Joyce is filling in as interim executive director. The Board said the services and programs of WRAP have not been impacted and continue on as usual.
