PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – The financial situation for Peoria’s public television station is largely unchanged. Still, for the first time since suspicious activity was found on their financial books, the public expressed their frustration and concern to the board of directors.
WTVP reported they have about $200,000 in cash on hand in their current budget. They also continue to operate at a deficit of about $480,000 for the year. Reportedly, the station’s revenues are around $1.4 million, while their costs are around $1.9 million.
In a statement released Tuesday evening, the board revealed they’ve been looking over plans to keep the station running. The said they will approve a plan early in 2024, but provided no further details.
Viewer donations and public grants fund WTVP. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides grant funding for PBS stations across the country, is holding off on WTVP’s grant money until the station’s financial scandal is resolved.
In October, the WTVP Board of Directors revealed some improper spending occurred and was discovered through their audits. Moments after that announcement, the board voted to cut $1.5 million from its budget, resulting in 9 jobs getting cut.
Former CEO and President Leslie Matuszak resigned back in September and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound the next day. It’s not clear what her involvement is with the incident. however, in November, the board filed an insurance claim for employee theft. The Illinois Attorney General’s office and Peoria Police opened an investigation due to that insurance claim.
For the first time, they also publicly named former CEO and President Leslie Matuszak and Human Resources/Financial Director Lin McLaughlin as possibly responsible for those improper expenses.
The board has spent the last ten weeks reviewing multiple options to ensure the future
financial viability of WTVP. After the unexpected resignation of the Director of
Finance/Human Resources and the CEO, the board found itself facing an uncertain
financial future with evidence of improper, unauthorized, or questionable expenses
which appear to have been approved by the former CEO and Director of
Finance/Human Resources.
WTVP Statement
WTVP needs to complete a forensic financial audit, but still cannot afford one.
There was no initial listing for public comment on the board’s agenda. However, the public was given the opportunity to speak following an hour-long executive session where the public and media were asked to leave the room.
Some there expressed their frustration with the board and the crisis of confidence WTVP is facing with the public. One man said he’s been a supporter of the station for years, but now isn’t sure what to do.
“Unfortunately my membership renewal sits on my desk at home,” Scott Hadden said, “waiting to know if I write a check, whether it’s going to be for naught.”
Others went further, calling for the board to resign.
On Monday, Peoria’s ACLU chapter called for the resignation of Board Chairman Andrew Rand and Vice-Chair Sid Ruckreigel.
“I think all of you ought to resign. This board ought to be reconstituted,” Elaine Hopkins told the board. “How could you let this happen? You were asleep at the switch, you weren’t paying attention. it’s really sad and shocking.”
“I don’t know what else to say,” she continued. “When are you going to resign? Let’s replace you with somebody who will actually pay attention.”
Longtime former president and CEO of WTVP Chet Tomcyzk came to the board meeting Tuesday. Off camera, he told 25 News the current situation with the station keeps him up at night. Tomcyzk once saw the station through another near-closure. In 2007, the station faced foreclosure due to outstanding bonds from a bank. Viewers pitched in to help the station get the funds it needed to survive.
When speaking to the board, Tomcyzk urged them to keep fighting for the station. He said it’s easy for everyone to air their frustrations and call for resignations, but harder for people to step in and try to fix the problem.
Rand briefly addressed the crowd after public comment to say the rumors about dissolving the station were not true. He quickly adjourned the meeting after that.
