Central Vermont business nonprofit leader put on leave pending investigation
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Central Vermont business nonprofit leader put on leave pending investigation
Melissa Bounty is the executive director of a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local businesses in central Vermont. She was put on paid leave Monday pending the “outcome of an investigation.” It is unknown what the organization is investigating. A police dispatcher at the Montpelier Police Department told VTDigger there was an “active investigation” into Bounty that did not allow for the retrieval of any records related to the matter. The Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation is one of a dozen regional economic development corporations around the state dedicated to support local business.“I stand by my work and my integrity,” Bounty wrote in a statement.
Melissa Bounty, the executive director of a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local businesses in central Vermont, was put on paid leave Monday pending the “outcome of an investigation.” It is unknown what the organization is investigating.
The Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation is one of a dozen regional economic development corporations around the state dedicated to supporting local business. Close to all of the nonprofit’s revenue stems from state and federal dollars.
The administrative leave letter, signed by the corporation’s Board Chair Ed Larson, Vice Chair Jody Emerson and Treasurer Reuben Stone, was obtained by VTDigger.
In the letter, directors told Bounty she was being placed on paid leave for the length of the inquiry. They wrote that Bounty being removed from the workplace was necessary to “allow for a thorough and impartial investigation.” The board also said placing Bounty on administrative leave was “not intended to imply wrongdoing or to prejudge the results of the investigation.
When asked about the investigation into Bounty, Emerson said she could not speak about any part of the investigation because the board cannot comment on “personnel matters.”
“I stand by my work and my integrity,” Bounty wrote in a statement to VTDigger on Thursday. “I care so deeply for the Central Vermont business community and have been honored to learn more about the wonderful work happening in this vibrant region every day.”
Bounty also noted the vague nature of the investigation.
“I have not received any information about the concerns of my board or the reason for my administrative leave,” she wrote. “And I am fully committed to supporting a process that brings transparency about any questions in the work and output of the organization.”
Bounty said she could not comment further.
A police dispatcher at the Montpelier Police Department told VTDigger there was an “active investigation” into Bounty that did not allow for the retrieval of any records related to the matter.
Washington County State Attorney Michelle Donnelly said her office had not yet been alerted to any investigation related to Bounty.
According to Bounty’s yearly review, obtained by VTDigger through a source familiar with the matter, multiple business owners praised her for her work at the nonprofit.
“Her abilities, experience and skills never cease to amaze me,” one business owner wrote.
Another owner wrote that Bounty saved their business.
“Without the support Melissa provided to our entire organization after the flooding in 2023 … [t]here would be 18 less good paying jobs in Central VT.”
After VTDigger reached out to board members with questions about Bounty’s leave, the board’s lawyer John Valsangiacomo asked VTDigger to stop contacting board members.
“We don’t have any comment,” the lawyer said Thursday.