RINCON -- The ongoing saga at Faith Equestrian Therapuetic Center (FETC) has drawn concern from one of its primary funding sources, United Way of the Coastal Empire.

In the wake up multiple staff resignations during Wednesday's FETC Board of Directors meeting and the ouster of board chairman Karen Signal, United Way issued the following statement Thursday morning:

"Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center has been a valued funded agency partner of United Way of the Coastal Empire since 2012, helping children with disabilities to grow and thrive through therapeutic horseback riding. We have recently been made aware of, and are reviewing, the concerns raised with regard to Faith Equestrian’s 2019 financial statements and internal controls. United Way holds our funded agency partners to high governance and oversight standards, regularly reviewing organization, financial, and program information. In the event that a significant concern is raised about an agency, it is our standard practice to thoroughly investigate and take all necessary steps to ensure responsible stewardship of United Way funding, up to and including suspension of grant payments, until we are assured that adequate fiscal controls and good governance practices are in place. Faith Equestrian provides a meaningful service to our community, and their work has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of children with disabilities and their families over the years. It is our sincere hope that the agency will quickly address and resolve these challenges so that they can continue to provide vital support to so many who depend on them."

FETC Executive Director Fran Todd, Program Director/instructor Hallie Myers, instructor Jackie Garman, volunteer coordinator April McKinnon and barn worker McKenzee Williams surrendered their jobs Wednesday. They, along with Signal, voiced concerns about the findings of the charitable nonprofit organization’s 2019 audit that revealed $16,000 in disputed expenditures by FETC founder Bonnie Rachael.

 FETC offers equine-assisted therapeutic and education activities to help improve physical, behavioral, cognitive and emotional functioning in children and veterans with disabilities. 

The staffers' concerns include “inappropriate” checks Rachael wrote to herself for two horse trailers and using $100 from a Special Olympics account to pay for care of her dog. Her expense reports, credit card use and a property transaction also gained scrutiny.