PEORIA, Ill. – A dark chapter in the history of Peoria public television station WTVP has now been closed.
CEO and President Jenn Gordon says WTVP received more than $1.6 million in funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on Tuesday. The funds from fiscal years 24 and 25 had been embargoed while an audit of the station’s finances was conducted.
The audit was needed after the discovery of the misuse of funds by late former CEO Lesley Matuszak and ousted finance director Lin McLaughlin. In February, the CPB sent WTVP a determination letter to say nothing new was revealed, one of the final steps to be in full compliance.
Gordon says it was a “good day” to receive the funds.
“There’s no longer a stain on our reputation, and to have their confidence that we are moving forward serving on our mission with integrity and providing these key services to the community,” Gordon said.
Gordon says federal funding from the CPB is about 30% of its annual budget, and was using endowments to help get WTVP through.
Gordon says the CPB was “eagerly hoping” that WTVP would be able to make it through the financial troubles, and credited the staff at WTVP for helping the station make it. She says staff will have more time to focus on restoring and building up relationships in the community, as well as increasing services in the area.
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