Pacifica’s old administration left the network saddled with $4.8 million in debt, according to independent auditorswho have examined the books since dissidents regained control of the network last month.

In just over a year, the foundation went from a $700,000 surplus to a $4.8 million debt due to astronomical feescharged by corporate attorneys, public relations companies, and security firms. Pacifica’s finances have not beendisclosed to either board members or donors in over a year.

Almost two months ago, a historic agreement was reached between all plaintiffs in four lawsuits against thefive-station Pacifica Radio network and the Pacifica foundation’s board of directors. The agreement returned officialcontrol of the Pacifica network, the nation’s oldest public broadcaster, to community radio advocates. The settlementcalled for an interim board, controlled by the dissidents, to serve for fifteen months while new, democraticstructures are implemented for an elected national Pacifica board.

The agreement brought to an end two and a half years of legal, political, and community struggle following an illegalchange in the method of selecting Pacifica’s directors, who had traditionally been elected by the local stationboards.

Guest:

• Dan Coughlin, interim executive director, Pacifica foundation.

Related link:

• Pacifica Foundation