NVMA files suit

Hastings, Neb.-The Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) is suing Gary Management Organization, Inc. (GMO), its executive director, E. Don Ellerbee, and bookkeeper Terese M. Kehoe, for the alleged mismanagement of the group's scholarship foundation funds, court records show.

The defendants face civil charges of conversion, fraud, negligence and breach of contract, records show. The lawsuit seeks $168,733 plus prejudgment interest on behalf of NVMA and $275,858 plus prejudgment interest on behalf of the NVMA Centennial Scholarship Foundation, Inc., records show.

The case will be heard in Adams County District Court. At presstime, a hearing date had not been set.

NVMA is one of four groups once headed by GMO, including the American Embryo Transfer Association, Nebraska Turf Grass Foundation and the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association. Each organization reports funds missing and has fired the company. Total estimates range from $400,000 to $500,000 reported lost, says NVMA Past President Orval Gigstad, DVM.

The state attorney general's office and FBI are investigating the case. Criminal charges are expected, Gigstad adds.