Council members allege that too many questions remain unanswered regarding organization revenue that might not have been deposited, expenditures that were not made in accordance with program guidelines, and other issues.
"Questions have been raised regarding the presence or absence of moneys the township asserts should have been accounted for and provided to the township," Fourre wrote.
The county's Legal Department is reviewing the matter, said county spokesman Ralph Shrom. He added that the county had a "responsibility to make sure that the funds are properly spent and accounted for."
A Leonard campaign spokesman called the actions a political witch hunt and said that under the former chairwoman's leadership, the alliance's budget, its outreach to children, and the number of events had all increased.
"They are using their bully pulpit to intimidate a community activist who's running for office," said the spokesman, Lou Seminski.
The alliance was questioned at several council meetings dating to February, when Leonard appeared seeking storage space for program materials. Since then, the council has not formally questioned Leonard, who announced her candidacy for the council in April. Leonard resigned from the alliance that month, and the township deputy manager, Jennifer Blumenthal, was appointed as acting chairwoman.
The Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse funds municipal alliance programs through mandatory penalties on drug offenders, and has organizations across the state. Grant money, which participating municipalities match, is disbursed at the county level.
Mount Laurel received $26,000 from the county for 2007.
Lynne Scheiter, who coordinates the Evesham Municipal Alliance and does not know Leonard, said she was surprised at the allegations because the grant process is rigorous.
