Model U.N. Claims Its Treasurer Embezzled

CHICAGO (CN) - A Model United Nations group claims in court that its adult treasurer embezzled more than $110,000 from the nonprofit that teaches students about international relations.

American Model United Nations International accuses Jeffrey Veselsky of "a wanton and willful scheme ... to defraud," in Cook County Court.

Veselsky "used his position of trust and confidence to elaborately manipulate and deceive AMUN's officers into relying on his false statements about the value of AMUN's bank accounts, while defendant himself plundered such accounts for personal gain," the complaint states.

AMUN, a nonprofit associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information, provides students a chance to participate in simulations of United Nations activities and learn about international relations.

"Defendant improperly withdrew funds from an AMUN bank account over a period of six years," the lawsuit states. "During this period, defendant improperly wrote at least 153 checks on behalf of AMUN, including twenty-nine checks to himself, sixteen checks to 'cash,' and twenty-two checks to his personal credit cards. Defendant's unauthorized issuance of checks, together with other improper expenditures and fees charged to AMUN as a result of defendant's actions have caused damages to AMUN in the amount of at least $110,684.66."

When his term as treasurer ended, the group claims, Veselsky "spent over a year avoiding the transfer of AMUN account signatories and financial information. When AMUN began to question defendant regarding the whereabouts of AMUN's missing funds, defendant knowingly and intentionally evaded and hindered AMUN's numerous attempts to uncover the truth."

The group claims Veselsky canceled at least four meetings with the current treasurer Chandra Kilgriff, evaded her calls, falsely claimed to have faxed her the bank account information, sent her financial records that predated his tenure, and invented family health problems to prevent the organization from discovering his embezzlement.

AMUN seeks punitive damages for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and conversion.

It is represented by Leslie Wright with Ropes & Gray.

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