[NFBMO] official Complaint of use of Unauthorized signature

[Eddie Thieszen-Culp]

Hello Madame president:

At the Springfield Chapter meeting on July 11, 2026, Janice stated that she felt she was being "blindsided" by the concerns that had been raised. I believe that statement is significant because it may reflect an awareness that serious questions existed regarding the matters under discussion. While I do not presume to interpret her intent or motivations, the statement reasonably raises questions about her understanding of the circumstances, her awareness of the issues involved, and whether appropriate judgment and oversight were exercised. These are matters that, in my view, warrant careful, objective, and independent review by the appropriate authorities or organizational leadership.

I want to ensure the record is clear and complete. In August 2025, I raised concerns regarding the applicable Code of Conduct as it related to this matter. I reiterate that history here so there is no uncertainty regarding when these concerns were first communicated. My intent is to address this matter openly, directly, and transparently, ensuring that all parties have notice of the issues being raised. I approach this process with the objective of accountability, clarity, and resolution as someone seeking an accurate record and an appropriate review of the facts.
To the extent that any individual authorized transactions in another person's name, represented that such transactions had been approved without authorization, or knowingly allowed another person's financial authority or signatory status to remain active after that authority had ended in order to facilitate transactions or other financial activity, such conduct may warrant review under applicable organizational policies and, if supported by the facts and evidence, could also implicate applicable civil or criminal laws. I respectfully defer any legal conclusions to the appropriate authorities charged with evaluating the evidence and determining whether any violation has occurred.



Judgment is the exercise of sound, ethical, and informed decision-making grounded in integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for established laws, organizational policies, and fiduciary responsibilities. For an elected officer or director, judgment requires acting with diligence, exercising appropriate oversight, addressing known concerns promptly, safeguarding organizational assets, and taking corrective action when potential irregularities are identified. It also requires recognizing when a matter should be referred to appropriate authorities for independent review rather than allowing uncertainty or inaction to compromise the organization's integrity or the public's confidence.
If officers or directors knowingly:

  *   permitted a former officer to remain listed as an authorized bank signatory after that authority should have ended;
  *   knowingly allowed financial transactions to occur under unauthorized banking authority;
  *   failed to take reasonable corrective action after becoming aware of a potential irregularity;
  *   knowingly concealed or withheld material information relating to banking authority or financial controls; or
  *   knowingly made or permitted material misrepresentations regarding authorized banking authority,

those circumstances could warrant review by the appropriate organizational, regulatory, civil, or criminal authorities to determine whether any violations of law, fiduciary duty, organizational policy, or other legal obligations occurred. Any determination of liability would depend upon the specific facts, applicable law, and the conclusions reached through an appropriate investigation.
Similarly, Missouri law recognizes that a person who knowingly assists, encourages, or facilitates another person's criminal conduct may, under appropriate circumstances, incur liability through principles of accomplice responsibility. Depending upon the facts established during an investigation, examples of conduct that could be relevant include knowingly:

  *   directing or encouraging another person to use an unauthorized signature or banking authority;
  *   authorizing or facilitating financial transactions outside the scope of lawful authority;
  *   assisting in concealing material facts or relevant evidence;
  *   destroying, altering, or directing the destruction or alteration of records or other potential evidence;
  *   making knowingly false or misleading statements to investigators or others conducting an authorized review; or
  *   receiving or knowingly benefiting from proceeds derived from unlawful conduct.

Whether accomplice liability exists in any particular matter is a legal determination based upon the evidence presented and the applicable statutory requirements. If the required elements are proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal proceeding, an accomplice may be held legally responsible for the underlying offense to the extent provided by Missouri law.

The Exercise of Judgment and Organizational Accountability
Every elected officer, committee chair, state board member, and chapter board member bears an independent fiduciary responsibility to exercise objective judgment based upon the organization's governing documents, applicable law, ethical obligations, and the facts available. Agreement with a particular course of action is not merely an expression of opinion; it reflects an individual's assessment that the actions or omissions under review are consistent with the standards of governance expected of those entrusted with organizational authority.
Accordingly, each officer or director should carefully consider whether the conduct at issue is consistent with the duties of loyalty, care, accountability, transparency, and financial stewardship expected of organizational leadership. The purpose of this inquiry is not to assign guilt or innocence, but to determine whether the circumstances warrant independent review, corrective action, or further investigation.
The central question is not whether conduct can be explained or defended, but whether it comports with the legal, ethical, and fiduciary obligations imposed upon those serving in positions of trust. Sound governance requires that organizational leaders evaluate both the facts and the applicable standards with equal rigor. A commitment to accountability requires the same diligence in examining potential misconduct as it does in protecting the rights and reputations of those involved.
If the factual circumstances are ultimately established through an appropriate investigation to include that an individual's name remained on a Springfield Chapter bank account after that person's term of office ended, and that banking authority continued without that individual's knowledge, authorization, or consent, a number of legal issues could potentially become relevant under Missouri law. The applicability of any statute or civil claim would depend upon the evidence developed and the conclusions reached by the appropriate authorities.
Potential criminal statutes that could be considered, depending upon the facts established, include:

  1.  Forgery or related offenses involving the unauthorized use of another person's signature or written authorization.
  2.  Identity theft or identity-related financial offenses involving the unauthorized use of another person's identifying information.
  3.  Stealing or unlawful appropriation of property through unauthorized financial transactions.
  4.  Fraudulent use of a signature or banking instrument.
  5.  Tampering with records or other official organizational or financial documents.
  6.  Financial misconduct involving the misuse of fiduciary authority or organizational assets.
  7.  Passing false or unauthorized financial instruments.
  8.  Conspiracy, where two or more persons knowingly agree to commit an unlawful act.
  9.  Criminal attempt, where conduct constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of an offense.
  10. Evidence tampering or obstruction if records or evidence are knowingly altered, destroyed, or concealed after learning of an investigation.

Separate from any criminal inquiry, the same factual circumstances could also give rise to potential civil or organizational claims, depending upon the evidence and governing law, including:

  *   Breach of fiduciary duty.
  *   Negligence.
  *   Conversion.
  *   Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
  *   Civil conspiracy.
  *   Unjust enrichment.
  *   Declaratory or injunctive relief.
  *   An accounting of organizational finances and financial transactions.
  *   Breach of organizational bylaws, financial policies, or other governing documents.

The inclusion of these legal principles is not intended as a conclusion that any violation has occurred. Rather, it identifies the categories of legal and fiduciary issues that may warrant consideration if supported by the evidence. The precise applicability of any criminal statute, civil claim, or organizational remedy depends upon the specific facts established, the governing law, and the determinations made by the appropriate investigative, judicial, or organizational authorities.

Evidence Potentially Relevant to an Independent Review
If concerns arise regarding the unauthorized use of banking authority, signatures, or financial authorization, a thorough and impartial review would ordinarily rely upon contemporaneous documentary evidence rather than recollections or assumptions. The objective of collecting and preserving evidence is to establish an accurate factual record, determine the sequence of events, identify who possessed authority at each stage, and assess whether organizational policies, fiduciary duties, or applicable legal requirements were followed.
Depending upon the nature and scope of the review, potentially relevant evidence may include:

  *   Bank signature cards and authorized signer records.
  *   Corporate banking resolutions and banking authorization documents.
  *   Cancelled checks and negotiated financial instruments.
  *   Copies of checks or other documents bearing an individual's signature or purported authorization.
  *   Electronic banking authorization logs, user access records, and transaction histories.
  *   Bank account opening and maintenance records.
  *   Board meeting minutes and official board actions.
  *   Chapter meeting minutes and approved organizational records.
  *   Financial policies, internal control procedures, and organizational bylaws.
  *   Emails, text messages, letters, and other communications relating to banking authority or financial transactions.
  *   Correspondence between organizational representatives and financial institutions.
  *   Financial statements, treasurer's reports, reconciliations, and supporting accounting records.
  *   Internal or external audit reports, reviews, or compliance findings.
  *   Bank statements and transaction histories.
  *   Documentation establishing when an individual's authority began, changed, or should have terminated.
  *   Communications or records demonstrating when officers, directors, committee chairs, financial institutions, or other responsible individuals became aware of any discrepancy concerning banking authority.
  *   Any corrective actions taken, including requests to update authorized signatories, modify banking authority, or notify affected parties.
  *   Records reflecting document preservation efforts, litigation holds, or other actions taken to preserve potentially relevant evidence.

The preservation of original records is essential to maintaining the integrity of any independent review. Contemporaneous documentation often provides the most reliable means of determining the relevant facts and may assist organizational leaders, auditors, financial institutions, investigators, legal counsel, or other authorized reviewers in evaluating whether additional corrective, administrative, civil, or legal action is warranted.

Madame President,
For the sake of maintaining a complete and accurate record, I respectfully direct your attention to your email dated August 23, 2025, at 2:52 p.m. I have reproduced below the pertinent excerpt exactly as it appears in your correspondence. I ask that this statement be considered in conjunction with the present concerns, as it reflects your contemporaneous acknowledgment that the issues I raised warranted discussion and that adherence to the Code of Conduct was sufficiently important to merit direct communication with chapter leadership.
I believe this contemporaneous record is relevant because it demonstrates that concerns regarding governance, organizational culture, and compliance with the Code of Conduct were brought to the attention of affiliate leadership well before the matters presently under review. My purpose in including this excerpt is not to revisit prior disagreements, but to ensure that the historical record accurately reflects the notice that was provided, the response that was given, and the context in which subsequent events should be evaluated.
Excerpt from your email dated August 23, 2025, at 2:52 p.m. (reproduced verbatim):
"Eddie,
I have read your message multiple times and find no concrete examples to substantiate your concerns. Nevertheless, I have talked with Janice about healthy practices to build a chapter or community on; as well as your expressed concerns, and she has assured me that she understands the importance of maintaining respect for every member and to follow our Code of Conduct. Janice is also investing many hours to learn more about our Federation history, programs, philosophy, and leadership."


Springfield Chapter Constitution and Governance
During the Springfield Chapter meeting held on July 11, 2026, it was stated that the chapter constitution had originally been certified by the chapter in 2016. However, the copy of the constitution that was subsequently provided to me reflects a revision date of 2020. To ensure the accuracy and integrity of the organization's governing documents, I believe it would be beneficial to clarify the constitutional history, including when amendments were adopted, approved, and distributed to the membership.
During that same meeting, Janice requested that I revise Article III (Membership), Section 2, of the Springfield Chapter Constitution to incorporate language concerning the National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct within the section entitled "Expulsion." The relevant provision provides:
"Any member of the chapter shall be expelled for actions detrimental to the National Federation of the Blind or in violation of the chapter's, State Affiliate's, or the National Federation's Constitution by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members present and voting at any regular chapter meeting.
The annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri may reinstate any person who has been expelled unless such expulsion has been confirmed by the National Convention or the National Board of Directors.
Any person who believes that he or she has been unjustly expelled from the chapter may appeal to the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind, which may, in its discretion, consider the matter and issue a binding decision."
After careful consideration and consultation, I advised both the Springfield Chapter and the Missouri Affiliate that I would respectfully decline to undertake the requested revision because I believed my contemporaneous involvement in matters concerning governance and organizational accountability created a potential conflict of interest. In my judgment, revisions to governing documents are best undertaken by individuals who are able to do so without any actual or perceived conflict, thereby preserving confidence in both the process and the resulting document.
This experience also highlighted several broader governance considerations that, if adopted, could further strengthen consistency, transparency, and organizational accountability throughout the Federation.
Governance Considerations for Organizational Best Practices
To promote current, accurate, and consistent governing documents, I respectfully offer the following recommendations for consideration:

  1.  Annual Constitutional Review. Each local chapter should conduct an annual review of its constitution and bylaws to determine whether amendments are necessary to remain consistent with current organizational policies, governing documents, and applicable law.
  2.  Annual Membership Ratification. Following review, each chapter should formally vote to reaffirm or amend its constitution so that members remain familiar with the governing provisions under which the chapter operates.
  3.  Default Application of Affiliate Governing Documents. When a local chapter constitution becomes outdated, conflicts with the state affiliate constitution, or has not been properly amended, the state affiliate constitution should govern until the chapter adopts compliant governing documents.
  4.  Periodic Review of the State Constitution. The Missouri Affiliate Constitution should likewise be reviewed at every other annual state convention, in which the office of president is elected,  to ensure it remains current, internally consistent, and aligned with the governing documents of the National Federation of the Blind.
  5.  Standardized Constitutional Compliance Process. The affiliate may wish to establish a regular process for reviewing local chapter constitutions to promote consistency across chapters and reduce uncertainty regarding governance requirements.
  6.  Central Repository of Governing Documents. Maintaining the most current versions of all constitutions, bylaws, policies, and governance documents in a centralized and publicly accessible location would promote transparency and ensure members have access to the governing standards applicable to their chapter and affiliate.
  7.  Documentation of Constitutional Amendments. Each amendment should clearly identify the date of adoption, the approving body, and the effective date so that the historical development of governing documents can be readily verified.
  8.  Periodic Governance Education. Officers, directors, committee chairs, and newly elected leaders may benefit from periodic training regarding constitutional provisions, fiduciary responsibilities, financial controls, conflict-of-interest principles, and organizational governance.

I also observed that the Springfield Chapter's website has been updated with current meeting information. I commend this effort, as maintaining accurate and accessible public information contributes to organizational transparency, improves communication with members and prospective members, and reflects positively on the chapter's commitment to effective governance.
    Eddie K. Culp        
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