Windsor Non-Profit Faces $3M Misconduct Claims Amid Lawsuit

UPDATE: A major scandal is unfolding in Windsor, Ontario, as the Labour Sponsored Community Development Group (LSCDG) faces serious allegations of financial misconduct totaling $3 million. The accusations come just as the organization grapples with a staggering $22 million shortfall in needed repairs for its managed housing units.

Residents like Sue Pare, who has lived in her non-profit managed unit for 35 years, are feeling the impact. Pare, who shares her home with her daughter who has cerebral palsy, expressed frustration over unresolved maintenance issues, including a kitchen floor crack that has persisted for over four years. “They used to be very on top of maintaining the buildings,” Pare said, adding that recent neglect has been alarming.

The crisis at LSCDG intensified after court documents revealed that executive director Anna Angelidis and her two sons, Jim and Danny Angelidis, allegedly engaged in financial misconduct, including unauthorized pay increases and questionable payments to a family-owned company. The LSCDG board, in an emergency meeting last October, unanimously voted to terminate the family members after uncovering these discrepancies.

Dino Chiodo, chair of the LSCDG board, described the situation as “frustrating” and “disappointing.” He stated that initial findings raised eyebrows, prompting a deeper investigation that revealed a troubling pattern of financial mismanagement. Allegations include $1.7 million paid to a family business for work that may not have been performed, and $1.4 million in questionable vendor payments processed using pre-stamped checks following the death of a former board member.

As the fallout continues, the Angelidis family has filed a wrongful dismissal suit seeking a combined $735,000 in damages, asserting they were fired without formal reprimands or severance. In response, LSCDG has filed counterclaims for at least $3 million, with indications that this figure could grow as investigations progress.

The City of Windsor, which supplies the majority of LSCDG’s funding, has launched its own review, uncovering further operational concerns. The review highlighted undisclosed conflicts of interest and financial discrepancies, all of which were reportedly not communicated to the board.

While LSCDG navigates these challenges, residents like Pare are cautiously optimistic about improvements. Recently, maintenance work such as tree trimming has begun, signaling a potential turnaround in the organization’s operations. “I want to see the board succeed and be more transparent about the issues we face,” Pare stated.

Chiodo emphasized that the organization is working closely with the city to ensure such misconduct does not recur. “We are a sustainable organization that can maintain its operations,” he asserted, indicating a commitment to restoring trust and accountability.

As LSCDG faces legal battles and scrutiny, the community watches closely, hoping for a brighter future where affordable housing repairs are prioritized. The developments are urgent, and the impact on Windsor’s vulnerable residents is profound, prompting many to wonder what further revelations will emerge as this story unfolds.