Acting Rural Center Head Resigns

Valeria Lee, chairwoman and acting head of the NC Rural Center after the resignation of Billy Ray Hall, has herself resigned.

“For the Rural Center and everyone it touches, the past few months have been incredibly difficult,” Lee wrote. “My goal as chair during this period was to create a process and plan to move our mission forward. The transition team is in place to do that, and we can hope soon to have a clear path for the future.”

But don’t shed a tear for Lee.

Readers should recall that Lee was former President of the crony-filled and corrupt Golden LEAF Foundation. In her final two years with Golden LEAF, Lee raked in more than half a million dollars in total compensation. (see 2008 fiscal year tax return here, compensation info on pg. 48 of document;  and 2009 fiscal year tax return here, compensation info here, pg. 43 of document.) Indeed, as a parting gift to Lee, Golden LEAF “grossed up” her golden parachute bonus in order to maximize her payment after taxes.

In the wake of Lee’s departure, Golden LEAF received a scathing audit from the state auditor’s office, finding an organizational lack of oversight of grants. Sound familiar?

So Lee’s distinguished career as a humble public servant as a leader of two major, state-funded slush funds nonprofits has resulted in both of those organizations being reprimanded by the state auditor. The result? Lee retiring a rich woman.

(HT: Betty Murphy)