Report: Head of San Gabriel Valley Red Cross has criminal past

AP ^ | 1/20/6

[SmithL]

Pasadena -- The head of the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Red Cross chapter, under fire for hiring a convicted thief, was herself jailed two decades ago for involvement in an international heroin ring, it was reported Friday.

Angie Turner served three months in the Linn County, Iowa, jail in 1985 after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact in connection with a ring that smuggled heroin from Nepal to Cedar Rapids, according to records cited by the Star-News.

Turner told two Red Cross board members that she had a criminal background before she accepted the job of chief executive officer.

"I've been completely open with every employee about this regrettable chapter in my life," Turner told the newspaper.

"The American Red Cross really gave me that second chance that certainly helped turn my life around," she said.

The local chapter provides services to 1.9 million people in 35 cities.

Michael Zoeller, chairman of the CEO search committee, was one of two people that Turner told about her criminal record but she portrayed it as a "youthful indiscretion" and never mentioned heroin, he said.

[vrwc0915]

20 years ago, baring any further criminal activity who cares

[furquhart]

That's my thought.

Actually, my thought is that it's good to see a criminal really turn their life around.

[Fitzcarraldo]

How many people died from Heroin because of her?

[A CA Guy]

Exactly, a person has the right to try and get away from their Democrat like past.

[Gay State Conservative]

Sounds like she's a good candidate to run the ACLU or moveon.org.

[Gay State Conservative]

Aaaahhh,we're talking heroin here......

[msnimje]

Heroin and the Red Cross? Very, very bad combination. This is not some white collar crime, it is seriously and often has deadly consequences.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Yeah. Big stuff.

[vrwc0915]

As do traffic violations.

[Grut]

Can't see that it matters much at this late date; presumably, those who worship a guy who got the death penalty will take a relaxed view towards somebody who only spent three months in the county jail.

[martin_fierro]

Angie Turner has been involved with the American Red Cross for more than 20 years. In 1977, two years after she received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Mt. Mercy College in Iowa, she started to work as a volunteer for the Grant Wood Chapter. Nearly 10 years later, she became the director of human resources for the Hawkeye Chapter. In 2000, Ms. Turner was named chief operating officer for the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter, where she developed and executed operational plans to support American Red Cross human resource initiatives, training programs and risk management. As CEO, she has also established growth initiatives, business and marketing plans. In January 2003, Ms. Turner became acting chief executive officer, focusing her goals on the financial development of the Chapter. In December 2003, Ms. Turner was named CEO after a nationwide search. Ms. Turner has published numerous articles and manuals for the Red Cross. She also has a certificate of nonprofit management from California State University, Los Angeles.

[bjc]

Ahhh! The dreaded nation wide search that ends up choosing the incumbent!! At what point did she come clean? If she should have acknowledged this earlier then alas she needs to resign. If it was a full and timely disclosure, then no further actionis needed.

[msnimje]

As do traffic violations.
Are you seriously trying to equate heroin trafficking with auto accidents?

[newzjunkey]

It's the Red Cross; it's quite known for its scandals. Why should this surprise any of us? Oh wait, some are still "true believers" in that organization. Live and learn.

As long as she disclosed and the organization didn't break its own policies just to hire her, this isn't a major concern. She did three months for involvement 'after the fact' which means she wasn't directly involved. While it's troubling being heroin trafficking related, without more detail I'll just shrug this story off.

[newzjunkey]

The dreaded nation wide search that ends up choosing the incumbent!!

Funny how that is, isn't it?

Looks a bit like Bush picking Cheney for VP. Or *shudder* Miers for SCOTUS. Maybe that's what you learn at business school?

[VOA]

Give money to the Red Cross (or United Way)?
GET REAL!