Raleigh LGBT Center: Former director fired after alleged fraud

Lughes became executive director of the center in 2019.

"Last summer, we discovered some unusual financial activity in our books. After consulting with our accounting contractor and enlisting a law firm to investigate, Lindsey was placed on an immediate suspension," the statement says. "After a more thorough investigation, her employment was terminated."

Goldenburg said the matter was immediately referred to law enforcement, adding that "a criminal investigation is underway by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation."

The SBI does not comment on investigations in progress, so WRAL News was unable to independently confirm the allegation. A search of court records showed no charges filed against Lughes as of Friday.

Goldenburg said in the statement that the center hadn't yet gone public about the alleged fraud "because we do not want to interfere with the investigation. As the result of a recent media request, we are disclosing the fraud but not sharing information about how the fraud was perpetrated or the investigation itself."

He added that the organization will reveal the amount Lughes is accused of taking when the investigation is done.

"All of us at the Center were devastated and felt betrayed by Lindsey’s actions," he said.

WRAL News has attempted to contact Lughes for comment, but she did not immediately respond.