In 2022, Blackwell bought his wife a new Nissan Altima for about $30,000, asking a donor to pay half and then taking the other half out of charitable funds, according to the report. The board said it was never informed that the charity paid for the car.
The alleged misuse of funds came at a time when Blackwell’s salary at the charity had also skyrocketed. In 2019, Blackwell’s salary was $206,000, with an additional $77,700 in nontaxable benefits, including a ministerial housing allowance. By 2023, his salary was $314,316, with an additional $69,565 in nontaxable benefits.
The financial review said that the misuse of funds was limited to Blackwell and was not widespread. The charity also plans to seek reimbursement for the cost of the Nissan purchased for Blackwell’s wife and said the forensic review continues.
“The immediate prior three fiscal years were the focus of the review,” a spokesman for the charity said in an email. “Our forensic accountant is continuing to look into additional fiscal years for the purpose of discovering and recovering funds.”
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(The number of locations that the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina operates has been updated.)
This article originally appeared on ReligionNews.com.
