ECHO Housing officials have met with Evansville Police about an alleged misuse of funds.
In a news release, the EPD said ECHO representatives met with police investigators on Friday, one day after the department announced it was starting an investigation.
As a result, ECHO Housing Corporation is now listed as the victim in the ongoing case.
Investigators said they’re awaiting the results of a forensic analysis of ECHO’s financial records.
The not-for-profit’s former director, Stephanie Tenbarge, is accused of using ECHO funds to pay her personal property taxes three times.
Metro Development Director Kelley Coures has indicated Tenbarge may have improperly used ECHO money for other purposes.
In a separate news release, ECHO Interim Director Chris Metz apologized to the community, saying any misuse of public money “falls dramatically short” of the group’s expectations.
Metz also said the not-for-profit did notify police of the issue “within days of the discovery.” He said the group couldn’t comment publicly until an internal investigation was completed.
ECHO was formed in 1998 to create affordable housing for vulnerable members of the community.
