In a civil lawsuit involving more than $8,000 between the Tyrone YMCA board of directors and former executive director Amy Hampton, Altoona District Justice Joseph Moran has ruled in favor of the board.
Moran had five days to make his decision after the YMCA board of directors and Hampton met in court last Thursday.
“We’re glad of the verdict, but we’re sorry it had to go to that extent,” said board president Linda Hershey. “We’re moving forward in a positive way.”
On December 30, Hampton filed a civil lawsuit at District Magistrate Fred Miller’s office against the Tyrone Area YMCA Board of Directors.
Miller cited a conflict of interest in the case since he serves on the YMCA board, and it was moved to Moran’s office in Altoona.
According to the complaint filed by Hampton, the board agreed to pay a 25 percent bonus being paid upon profits made during the fiscal year 2002. She said the board not making good on their February 25, 2002 agreement was a breach of contract.
Also in the complaint, it stated that the Form 990, dated November 10, 2003 and completed by John Ramsey, CPA, showed an excess of $33,198 for the year.
Based on the excess and the 25 percent bonus, Hampton said in the complaint she was owed $8,299.50 by the YMCA.
At last week’s hearing, Mike Blaska was in attendance. He was vice-president of the board at the time of Hampton’s hiring at the YMCA, and John Harlow was president.
Blaska provided his copy of the contract between Hampton and the YMCA, which was handwritten.
He also said three contracts were made, one going to Harlow, one going to Hampton, and one going into Hampton’s personnel file at the YMCA.
Harlow told Blaska he threw away his copy of the contract when he moved. The other two copies of the contract cannot be located.
Blaska also said at the hearing that Hampton’s bonus structure was set up to acquire corporate sponsors for the YMCA and had nothing to do with fundraisers, personal donations, or program money.
Hampton has 30 days to appeal the ruling to the Blair County Court of Common Pleas.
