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Presiding Bishop Clarifies Role in Prosecution of Cooke, Addresses Pain of His Staff

Episcopal News Service. May 18, 1995 [95087]

(ENS) A week after he shared with his staff the results of an auditor's report on the embezzlement of $2.2 million by former treasurer Ellen Cooke, Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning met with them again to discuss the implications.

Addressing what he called "the confusion on whether or not we intended to prosecute" in the May 1 statement, Browning told his staff, "Since the whole thing began, there has never been any question whether there should be prosecution. It is unthinkable that this matter would not be prosecuted," he said. The only issue was one of timing because nothing could be done "until the auditors finished their work and the issues became visible to the whole world," he said. (See Episcopal Life column in Newsfeatures)

Browning has been receiving many letters and phone calls urging the church to prosecute and expressing frustration over what some perceived as a hesitation to proceed. He revealed, during open forums with the staff, that federal authorities contacted his office within days of his release of the audit report and that the church has been cooperating with them. "We were prepared to go to the government if they had not called us," he said.

"Though federal authorities have taken the first steps toward criminal prosecution, civil prosecution to recover more of Mrs. Cooke's assets would be premature because we do not yet know the amount we will recover," Browning said. He and treasurer Don Burchell told colleagues that the church still hoped to recover "all or most" of the amount. "This figure is in part dependent on the sale prices of the two pieces of property formerly owned by the Cookes for which we now have title," he added. The Virginia farm is on the market for over $800,000 and the house in Montclair is listed at almost $700,000, although each has a mortgage of about $350,000.

Dealing with the pain

In a moment of personal candor, Browning told his staff that "this whole matter has occurred on my watch and I take full responsibility for it... It is clear that I should have listened more closely and moved earlier." He said that he had defended Cooke because he had hoped that "by challenging her, she would change. But I was wrong. She did not and could not change."

Browning added that he was "deeply aware of the hurt Mrs. Cooke has inflicted" on members of his staff, especially those who left, and added that he was "dealing with my own hurt and pain -- and that of others." He expressed his determination "to do whatever is necessary to rebuild the trust." He said that he was particularly concerned that the trust levels between the national church and the local church not be damaged. He expressed optimism, pointing out that he has received "expressions of enormous concern for the staff and for me."

Province II expresses concern

The provincial council of the church's Province II meeting near New York City May 11-13, adopted two resolutions to "convey the deep concern of the assembled bishops and deputies for our church and for the scandal caused by the actions of the former treasurer." Delegates urged church leaders to "reassure the people that all appropriate steps are being taken to ensure that justice will be served. There is a fear that efforts at damage control and the desire for reconciliation may overshadow the need for justice. We hope that the leadership will assist fully in any criminal prosecution and will not shy away from civil action to recover funds," said the letter, signed by provincial president Audrey King.

"The deputies also asked that the leadership reassure the church that vigorous steps are being taken to bring church accounting practices into compliance with standard accounting practices and that such assurance be widely distributed," the letter added.

"The embezzlement of funds by Mrs. Cooke is painful to all of us," King concluded. "It holds our church up to ridicule and is a further distraction from the work of mission. Full, public accountability on the part of the leadership is the necessary first step in bringing our church through this crisis."