KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM)– The Former Director of Operations for Kalamazoo Strong, the fundraising organization that sprang up after Kalamazoo’s mass murder to help the survivors is now under investigation for embezzling funds from that group.
The organization expanded its mission to include the victims of Kalamazoo’s Bike Tragedy a few months later.
Rachel Kaiser also allegedly took funds from another organization, the Kalamazoo Cobras, a minor-league basketball team that reportedly had to suspend operations because of the theft.
Both of the positions held by Kaiser were unpaid.
TV-8 reports that an arrest warrant for felony embezzlement has been issued, but its not clear when it will be served or when she will be formally charged.
The allegations are that Kaizer used $3 to 4-thousand dollars from Kalamazoo Strong for personal purchases and siphoned $10,000 from the basketball team.
Kizer has since moved to West Bloomfield near Detroit.
In a statement issued by the KSO, they say they first became suspicious in December of 2016.
“The KSO Board is clear in their stance that the actions of this individual are in no way deemed acceptable. Due to the ongoing investigation by the Portage Police Department, the KSO has remained silent on this matter to preserve the integrity of the police investigation . The KSO Board is grateful for the support from the community, who allow us to serve those in need. New processes and measures have been put in place to assure another situation of this kind does not occur.”
