Easter Seals leader faces charges after money turns up missing

Easter Seals of Iowa -is- seeking criminal charges against Martha Wittkowski, who was fired Monday as president and C-E-O. An audit found the statewide charity which helps disabled people is short 230-thousand dollars. Donna Elbrecht was named the new C-E-O and president Monday afternoon. Elbrecht won’t elaborate on charges against Wittkowski. She says the issue is now in the hands of the Polk County Sheriff’s Department and she can’t say much more.Wittkowski was suspended without pay in November, after which accountants began the review of the books. Elbrecht says she has a message for the thousands of Iowans who benefit from and who donate to Easter Seals of Iowa, which is based in Des Moines. She says this is the action of one individual and should not overshadow all the good things the organization does.Elbrecht says steps are being taken to prevent anyone from ever again stealing from the charity.She says the organization helped four thousand Iowans with disabilities last year.