The executive director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce was fired after the Dearborn-based organization discovered that some of its funds could not be accounted for, the chamber announced.
Bilal Hammoud was terminated effective immediately, according to an Aug. 21 news release from the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. The organization said it acted quickly to secure its accounts against further losses after discovering the issue.
"We are taking these steps because the trust of our members, partners, and the businesses we serve is the foundation of everything we do," Ahmad Chebbani, chairman of the chamber's board, said in the statement. "We are committed to getting this right and to being transparent with the community we serve."
A message
left for Hammoud by the Free Press was not returned as of Friday evening.
The chamber hired Warner Norcross + Judd to conduct an independent investigation, according to the statement. The organization also said it is cooperating with "the appropriate authorities."
The chamber did not disclose the amount of money unaccounted for, when the issue was discovered or any other details about the funds.
The chamber said its "programs and services continue without interruption, and the oversight and safeguards now in place are designed to protect the organization and everyone who relies on it."
According to the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, it will release more information and provide a full accounting once the investigation is complete.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Email her at nrahal@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Executive director of American Arab Chamber fired amid missing funds
