The Malden Community Fund has recently filed tax returns for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 with the Massachusetts Attorney General. BUT, did they actually file with the IRS?
On or about November 12, 2024, Maria Luise, Special Assistant to Mayor Gary Christenson, signed and dated a 2019 and 2020 IRS form 990-EZ. These forms have been uploaded to the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General’s Public Charities Filings. Allegedly these forms were filed with the IRS.
Also, on or about November 19, 2024, Maria Luise, Special Assistant to Mayor Gary Christenson, submitted unsigned and undated IRS form 990-EZ for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. These forms have been uploaded to the Massachusetts Office of The Attorney Generals Public Charities Filings. Allegedly these forms were also filed with the IRS.
These forms allege in the 2019 filing that “The entity was established in September of 2019 with its first filing required for period ended June 30,2020. The onset of COVID occurred during this cycle and the entity and its operations were placed on hold. This was strictly an oversight, and every attempt is being made to bring all filings up to date.”
In the 2020 filing the form alleges “The entity was established in September of 2019. It was dormant during fy 2021 due to Covid. The late filing is strictly an oversight and every attempt is being made to bring all filings up to date.”
In the 2021 filing the form alleges “The entity was established in September of 2019. It was dormant during FY22 due to Covid. The late filing is strictly an oversight, and every attempt is being made to bring all filings up to date.”
In the 2022 and 2023 filings ,no reason is given for the late filings.
The 2023 form indicates that the City of Malden made “Conditional Contributions” to the Malden Community Fund Committee, Inc. of $489,419.
OpenCommonwealth is in receipt of copies of checks totaling $418,070.35 From the City of Malden paid to “Malden Community Fund” and another $100,000 directly from the Encore Casino.
Without the payment for 2025, paid in June or July of 2024 the amount of money received from Encore specifically directed to the Malden Community Fund per the contract is $668,376.56 which is a shortfall of $288,713.78.
The 2023 IRS form 990-EZ indicates a 2023 year-end amount of $489,444, yet the January 2024 bank statement shows only $379,662.78, a shortfall of $109,781.22 which is it?
Where is the money? Where is the full accounting of all monies received any expenditures that have been reviewed, approved and made?