I-Team Exclusive: Criminal investigation into Humane Society of the Desert & DHS Animal Hospital
I-Team uncovers a criminal investigation into past and present board members of the Humane Society of the Desert & Desert Hot Springs Animal Hospital.
For the last six months, we’ve been reporting on these two organizations.
In June 2018, former Humane Society board members told News Channel 3 about healthy dogs from the animal hospital they oversaw being buried in the desert.
In December, we reported on how employees at the animal hospital were abruptly fired without explanation and the facility was closed.
“The Board of Directors of the Humane Society of the Desert, Inc. announced that its Animal Hospital located in Desert Hot Springs, California, will close effective December 10, 2018, through the Holidays. It is anticipated that the Hospital will reopen in early 2019. During the Holiday closure, the Hospital will undergo some equipment upgrades and a refresh. Current customers who need any information during the closure are asked to leave a message on the Hospital line (760-251-1400) and calls will be returned at the earliest opportunity. – Statement on closure from Board of Directors (Dec. 10, 2018)
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says there has been an active investigation involving past and present board members of the Humane Society of the Desert since July 2018.
A statement from the Sheriff’s Department reads:
“In June of 2018, a report of possible fraud/embezzlement was reported to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Palm Desert Station, involving board members of the Humane Society of the Desert. This case was then assumed by investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Palm Desert Station in July, 2018. This is an active and ongoing investigation involving past and present board members of the Humane Society of the Desert. Investigators are conducting a thorough investigation into this case and are working in collaboration with the Humane Society. At this time, there is no releasable information available.”
“I just want the truth and I just want that facility to be able to be up and running and animals not be prisoners and able to be adopted out and run by somebody who knows what they’re doing and doesn’t run it with an iron fist and a cold, steel heart,” says Christine Madruga, a former Humane Society Board Member and former Director of the Pet Rescue Center.
But new Humane Society Director (Treasurer) Ken Solomon says a forensic accounting underway has shown no evidence of any criminal wrongdoing or malfeasance.
“We keep looking and finding a lot of different stories, but when you try to pin it down it’s as clear as mud,” says Solomon.
