Embezzlement of funds - Plymouth (cult) Intergroup

Details relating to the alleged embezzlement of Plymouth Intergroup funds (see here) were passed to Devon and Cornwall Police this morning (including reference to the attempted cover-up). They were also referred to the General Service Office (York) who have already been informed of the incident. No doubt more will be revealed!

Apart from the matter itself what we find truly extraordinary is the response of the service structure in AA generally.

We notified the General Service Office (and the trustees) of our concerns a week ago. No response. They may or may not have acted on the information. Who can tell?

Plymouth Intergroup apparently deliberated upon the matter and then concluded what? To say nothing.

South West Region were also made aware of what was going on. Have they taken any action? All seems shrouded in secrecy.

Alcoholics Anonymous is an ….. anonymous organisation... not a secret nor indeed secretive one! For a fellowship which claims “rigorous honesty”, “moral inventory”, “making amends” and acting responsibly as its central principles these seem to have been curiously absent over recent times. Indeed observable behaviour would suggest the precise opposite. Disclosure of a criminal offence (alleged) is not a matter for debate either in group consciences or regional meetings or even consultations with the 'Big Sky Daddy'. You're required by law to report it. And if you don't you may well find yourself facing a criminal prosecution. We cannot afford to permit a culture to prevail in AA where misconduct (criminal or otherwise) is ignored or covered up. The argument frequently deployed to rationalise such obscuration is that it will bring AA into disrepute. What actually befouls our reputation is failing to live up to our own declared principles, and then behaving like hypocrites.

Think on that!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)