From Wire Reports Chavis’ Claim Labeled ‘Utterly False’

NAACP executive director Benjamin Chavis’ claim that he inherited a $2 million deficit in the organization’s finances is “utterly false,” his predecessor, Benjamin Hooks, said.

Hooks says in the Aug. 22 issue of Newsweek that he left the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People with a $600,000 surplus.

“It’s not a matter of Chavis versus Hooks,” he said. “It’s Chavis versus the books.”

The organization is reporting a $2.7 million deficit.

Chavis has been under pressure to resign for committing up to $332,400 in NAACP money to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit without the consent of the 64-member board of directors.

Chavis has rejected calls to resign. He said he agreed to the settlement with former NAACP employee Mary Stansel to avoid the expense of a lawsuit.

On Friday, the West Virginia NAACP adopted a resolution at its annual convention calling for Chavis and NAACP Chairman William Gibson to step down. The West Virginia branch is the first NAACP state chapter formally to call for Chavis’ resignation.