DETROIT, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The Detroit NAACP chapter is back in business after falling behind on payments, the national headquarters says.
The chapter has paid up $223,146 that was due last year, bringing it into "full compliance with the national office," national NAACP chief Roger Vann wrote in a Jan. 11 letter the chapter gave The Detroit Free Press.
Because of the unpaid obligations, Detroit's delegates to the national convention in Kansas City, Mo., last July could not vote, and the branch president, the Rev. Wendell Anthony, could not run for a seat on the national board.
"Our state has a deficit of $1.8 billion," Anthony said. "Our county has a deficit. Our city has a deficit. The board of education has a deficit. For anyone to believe that for some reason the NAACP ... would not escape some financial impact by these realities is not facing reality."
Arthur Johnson, a former branch president who has criticized Anthony's leadership, said he was glad the chapter is back in good financial standing, but it should be more transparent about its finances. He said members should demand a forensic audit of its fundraising and spending.
