Jan. 8, 2025 8:40p
(WGTD)---A nasty dispute between two groups that dedicate themselves to helping the poor has landed in Kenosha Circuit Court.
Grace Lutheran Church on 60th St. has filed suit against a splinter group that once ran its Welcome Center.
The church claims former employees cleaned out the Welcome Center's bank account last fall to the tune of over $95,000. The suit wants the money returned, along with donor lists, business records and passwords.
The church continues to offer many of the same services as it did before the take-over with a different staff at the same location under a new name, Grace People's Pantry. Meanwhile, the splinter group, calling itself the Kenosha Welcome Center, is looking to establish itself in a nearby location. A fundraiser is scheduled for this Saturday.
The dispute has left some Kenoshans who normally would view themselves as allies in the fight against poverty on opposite sides of the fence.
The origins of the disagreement are unclear.
According to a post last fall from the new group, the Grace Lutheran Church Council and the Welcome Center amicably agreed in mid-2024 to establish separate identities that would involve the Welcome Center operating a new nonprofit corporation. At some point, the deal went awry, and a scramble ensued over control of the Welcome Center's assets.
Kenosha attorney Terry Rose is representing the church. Miles Hartley is representing the new nonprofit.
A hearing in small claims court is scheduled for Jan. 23rd.
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