UCHRA Board Votes To Engage Lawyer In Investigation

The UCHRA Board of Directors voted unanimously Thursday morning to enter into a letter of engagement with the lawyer hired to investigate the organization.

UCHRA Attorney Danny Rader told the board Thursday that the investigating attorney, Tim Pirtle, wanted the letter. Pirtle wanted everyone to know that he worked for the executive committee and not the UCHRA as a whole, according to Rader.

“He’s particularly concerned that any individual employees, or the executive director or even the interim executive director would try to control his activities, Rader said. “Obviously, that’s not the intent, that’s not what you guys voted on.”

Rader said the letter also made clear that Pirtle would not represent UCHRA should any criminal investigation or lawsuits be launched in connection with the work.

The UCHRA Board placed Executive Director Luke Collins on administrative leave in February. Allegations surfaced that Collins misused funds for personal trips, received comp time that he should not have, and misrepresented his work hours.

Mark Farley continues to serve as interim director of UCHRA, an organization designed to assist low income families, the elderly and disabled.

Rader said the first round of documents in the board’s investigation have been sent to Pirtle and that he has begun an investigation plan.