The Appellate Court ruled on August 18, 2011 that the suit brought against Barbara
McKinzie and the 2006 – 2010 Directorate was dismissed prematurely, stating in part:
In the last analysis, the appellants here have clearly spelled out both the alleged
wrongdoings committed with regard to an organization of which they are members and
the requested relief. See Super. Ct. Civ. R. 8 (a)(2), (3). Dismissal with prejudice
at the very outset of the litigation came too soon and blocked any consideration
on the merits of any of the claims.
Consequently, "the case was remanded for further proceeding" in the Superior Court.
The plaintiffs will not rest until justice prevails. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt,
"Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding
out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong."
Suspension of the whistle-blowing plaintiffs' membership privileges will not silence
them, nor will it erase the fact that Barbara McKinzie has paid herself an exorbitant
salary for a traditionally voluntary position, as well as abused the sorority credit
card privileges for herself and the benefit of her friends and acquaintances. The
plaintiffs' resolve for justice to be brought against the enablers and perpetrators
of the sorority's financial malfeasance is unwavering.
Despite several written correspondence by the plaintiffs and counsel reaching out
to the current president and Directorate to resolve this matter, they have not responded.
They have refused to sanction Barbara McKinzie and pursue legal action against her
to recover the sorority's funds that she took illegally. Other members have been
expelled for embezzling much less funds from chapters. Yet both the current and
immediate past Directorate have allowed the international president to embezzle
at least 2.4 million dollars without being sanctioned.
The plaintiffs extend great appreciation to all those who believe in their noble
quest for justice being served to the sorority and have supported them financially
and morally. They, along with Mrs. Julia Brogdon Purnell, also need your continued
financial contribution to pay off their outstanding legal bills. Special appreciation
to Attorney Ed Gray and his team for their hard work from the onset and for successfully
presenting the appellate argument.
However, for this new phase of litigation, the plaintiffs have retained the law
firm of ReedSmith, LLP in Washington, DC with Attorney A. Scott Bolden, Managing
Partner as the lead attorney to represent them. The battle for justice will continue.
Barbara McKinzie and all those who enabled her must make full restitution to Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
The Appellate Court Order is posted in the document section for your perusal.
Read about A. Scott Bolden in the Document & Media section.