LAFAYETTE PARISH — During a recent board meeting at AOC, Lafayette’s community media center, concerns regarding the center’s financial situation and recent staff changes took center stage. Volunteers expressed unease as they learned of a lawsuit filed against longtime producer Jacob White, raising questions about the involvement of public funds in the legal battle.
Richard Phelps, a dedicated volunteer, brought attention to the growing speculation within the community. “I just learned of a lawsuit filed by AOC Inc. against one of the producers, Jacob White, and I have questions on if that involves public money,” Phelps said, voicing the doubts many volunteers have been grappling with in recent weeks.
According to court documents obtained by KATC, AOC Community Media filed a lawsuit against White in December 2023. The lawsuit accuses White of “intentional trespassing” on AOC property and “harassment of employees.” White, who had been employed at AOC since 2007, claims he was terminated in July 2023 after raising concerns about the center’s operations. In a statement made at a board meeting, White said, “We are now staffed at critically low levels… after 14 months with the new executive director, I approached the board and said that this situation is not being handled properly. Our executive director hasn’t met with the people we interact with and has purposely distanced himself.”
AOC’s Executive Director, Michael Messerly, addressed the volunteers’ concerns during the meeting, acknowledging the financial strain on the organization. “We are running in a deficit,” Messerly stated. “I have no problem hiring people, but I also have no problem letting people go if the funding isn’t there. While I haven’t had to lay anyone off, I also haven’t filled positions that have been vacated.”
As the center grapples with a shrinking staff, questions regarding its long-term ability to provide services have intensified. Volunteers expressed their growing worries over the financial situation, particularly in light of the ongoing lawsuit. One volunteer asked for clarity on how much of AOC’s budget was being allocated to legal expenses, a request that was met with a promise from a board member to provide financial details at a later date.
The lawsuit against White and the center’s ongoing budget deficit have raised alarms about AOC’s future, with many wondering how much longer the center can continue its operations without making significant adjustments. The lack of filled positions and the potential impact of the lawsuit on AOC’s finances are fueling concerns among volunteers and staff alike.
As the community media center navigates these challenges, the call for greater transparency and accountability is growing louder, with many hopeful that answers regarding the financial and legal aspects of AOC’s operations will be addressed sooner rather than later.