California attorney general looking at MOCA books
The financially troubled Museum of Contemporary Art announced Friday afternoon that the California attorney general's office was looking into its finances. A museum spokeswoman released this statement:
MOCA has received a letter from the California Attorney General's office. The California Attorney General has broad jurisdiction and oversight over California non-profits, including MOCA. The letter requested information and documents related to the Museum's finances. MOCA is fully cooperating with the Attorney General.
Scott Gerber, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, would not confirm that the office had sent the letter and would offer no comment on the matter.
Arthur Rieman, managing attorney of the Law Firm for Non-Profits in Studio City, said Friday that it was standard procedure for the attorney general's office to launch a preliminary inquiry in reaction to news reports of possible misuse or inappropriate diversion of charitable assets.
"This probably is normal -- it doesn't mean anything other than that they have been made aware that there may have been a diversion of assets," Rieman said of the attorney general's staff.
-- Mike Boehm
