Monroe Y wraps up investigation
10/1/2009MONROE - Barry McDonald, who has been serving as interim executive director of Monroe YMCA since April, has been put on paid administrative leave.
Roman Arce, an attorney with Marshall and Melhorn, said the YMCA board of directors hired his law firm on Aug. 14 to assist its investigation into allegations against Mr. McDonald.
A former YMCA board member, Mr. McDonald remains on the organization's payroll.
"He has not been dismissed. He is not going to be returning as interim executive director," Mr. Arce said.
Mr. Arce said the investigation was completed in early September and the findings were forwarded to the organization. He declined to detail the focus of the investigation or why his law firm was hired to assist the YMCA board.
However, Mr. Arce said YMCA employees involved in the investigation have retained attorneys.
"It's no big secret that there are employees of the YMCA who are represented by an attorney," he said.
The board had hired Mr. McDonald to replace Hwa Stacy, who retired as interim director.
Mr. Arce wouldn't divulge the salary paid to Mr. McDonald, but said it is less than Mrs. Stacy's $81,000 annual salary.
YMCA board President Joe Lark could not be reached for comment.
Mr. McDonald stepped down from the YMCA board in April when he was named interim director.
He was previously employed as vice president of business development and strategy at Mercy Memorial Hospital System.