STATEMENT: American Red Cross Currently Investigating Allegations

WASHINGTON, Friday, March 24, 2006 — The American Red Cross is already investigating allegations of mismanagement and other possible wrongdoing by some Red Cross volunteers, which were referenced in a New York Times article, entitled “Red Cross Sifting Internal Charges over Katrina Aid,” published March 24, 2006.

“The first and foremost obligation of the Red Cross is to the American public, which turns to us in times of need every day and entrusts us with contributions of time, blood and money,” said Chuck Connor, senior vice president of communication and marketing for the American Red Cross.

For more than three years, the Red Cross has maintained a toll-free and confidential hotline to collect reports of any such allegations. Reports of fraud, waste and misappropriation are taken seriously and every allegation is investigated. The Red Cross Office of Investigations, Compliance and Ethics leads these investigative efforts for the organization.

“The Red Cross is aggressively investigating certain recent allegations that have been brought to us by concerned volunteers,” said Connor. “We take seriously our obligation to deter and detect fraud or abuse, and are assisting in several prosecutions now in progress.”

Any evidence of criminal activity is routinely turned over to law enforcement. The Red Cross works with every level of law enforcement—from local police departments to the FBI—to aggressively prosecute offenders. To date, our efforts have recovered more than $2 million in illegally received assistance.

While departures from standard procedures after a huge catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina are inevitable and often necessary to provide faster aid to people who need it, any conduct that violates either the law or Red Cross Code of Conduct is not tolerated.

For more information, please contact Carrie Martin at 202-303-4459 or martinc@usa.redcross.org.

Contact Information

Carrie Martin

Media Contact

American Red Cross

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