According to this image, the photo at right seems to be Rathke's gal, now ex-ACORN employee.
Controversial activist group ACORN has fired the longtime companion of founder Wade Rathke over apparent concerns about a lack of "accountability" in her work leading the Louisiana chapter in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Beth Butler was the director of that chapter and close to Rathke, whose brother Dale was accused of embezzling about $1 million from the group a decade ago.
Here's some additional background involving Butler. Michelle points out some of the internal squabbling taking place. How long before some of the squirming rats start to turn? That's often what ultimately brings organizations of this size down.
Wade Rathke told board members in June that he did not try to cover up his brother's misdeeds. He asserted that he and other managers thought the repayment plan represented the best course of action because it would keep the incident out of the press, where it could provide fodder for political opponents at a time when ACORN had much work to accomplish, according to minutes of the meeting, which were available at Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
Rathke's wife, Beth Butler, executive director of ACORN New Orleans, disputed the account of some board members that the family kept the embezzlement hush-hush. She said ACORN's national executive committee and regional leaders knew what was going on, and its national executives took steps make sure CCI modernized its accounting controls.
But the group's management continues to fracture over the issue.
In August, two members of an ACORN interim management committee -- Washington, D.C., board member Marcel Reid and Minnesota board member Karen Inman -- filed suit in New Orleans seeking access to financial records and to remove Rathke from all ACORN-affiliated groups. They said a June 20 board resolution directed Rathke to step aside from any activities having to do with ACORN.
Rathke's wife said his new employer, ACORN International, is a separate group with separate offices.
"It is an issue with a certain group of people, " she said. "Wade continues his work."
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