Seabird Sanctuary Facing IRS and Department of Labor Review
The IRS has filed leins for $187,000 in unpaid payroll taxes against the Seabird Sanctuary.
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The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is facing review from the IRS for unpaid payroll taxes and the Department of Labor is investigating possible violations of the Fair Labor Act, according to an article for TBO.com
There have been employees who have made claims of not being paid for weeks, according to the article.
Ralph Heath, founder of the Seabird Sanctuary, and Micki Eslick refused to comment.
Recently, Heath put out a notice for donations of $100,000 for food for the birds due to a fish shortage from the BP oil spill. Biologists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Insitute have said there has been no fish shortage this year.
Stay tuned for Patch for more news on the investigation.
Have you worked or volunteered at the Seabird Sanctuary? If so, how was the management? Let us know in the comments or e-mail us.
Rita Chambers
10:01 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I have visited the sanctuary many times, and was always under the impression that it was mainly a volunteer organization. It is a wonderful bunch of people that try to help with animals that no 1 else will help. It would be a shame if they have to close.
Robin Vergara
1:42 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Everyone please share this story. It is important whether you live in the community or not. The management/director/NON-INDEPENDENT board needs to be held accountable for the current state of financial affairs at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. Public out cry will be instrumental in this movement. This movement is for the birds and hardworking hospital/avian/rescuers/volunteers who have had their benefits stripped from them, go unpaid for weeks on end and make very little money for their hard work when they are paid and are constantly harassed by management/director. This movement is only for change in management/director/board and for total transparency in funding of SSS as it must continue but under new and real leadership.
More info below
https://www.facebook.com/SeabirdSanctuary?ref=hl
Tom Stevenson
1:42 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
In the words of the Looney Tunes character, Elmer Fudd, "There's something vewy, vewy scewy here" in making false statements to get the otherwise supportive public, to donate funds under false pretenses which would (if true) be a bloody shame.
Anne Marie Jordan
4:35 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I was a volunteer there and can attest that the bird-care staff consists of some of the most hard-working and committed people I've ever met. Given the complete lack of resources, support, and leadership (not to mention pay), they do incredible work for those birds. I hope response to this will be swift and harsh a new program that reflects their dedication will take the current program's place.