Spiver W. Gordon

Rev. Raleigh Trammell

In a May 2011 draft report by the Fulton County (GA) District Attorney’s Office, Public Integrity Unit, on its investigation of the National Office of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) finds that former chairman, Rev. Raleigh Trammell of Dayton, Ohio and ex-treasurer, Spiver Gordon of Eutaw, Alabama did not commit any criminal wrongdoing in the handling of the organization’s funds.

The report says a complaint was filed in January 2010 by SCLC General Counsel Dexter Winbush alleging that Gordon and Trammell had engaged in unauthorized expenditure and received personal gain  in excess of $560,000 of SCLC funds since

2006.

The summary section of the report states, “After a thorough investigation by the Fulton County D. A. Office’s Public Integrity Unit and White Collar Crime Unit, it was determined that there is no evidence to support criminal charges for any of the areas detailed in the complaint. Based on a complete review of bank records for the SCLC accounts, internal expense vouchers, and interviews of SCLC Executive Board members, the investigators were able to determine that the expenditures were for legitimate, authorized programs and travel expenses.”   

While the report has not yet been made public, the Democrat and other news sources secured a copy. Gordon, Trammell and four other dismissed SCLC Board members met with Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, to urge him to release the findings to the public. These former SCLC Board members, who have appeal a court decision against them for misuse of funds, also sent a letter urging the District Attorney to release his lengthy report which exonerates them of any wrongdoing.

Spiver Gordon in a statement to the Democrat, said, “ I am saddened and disappointed that the situation in SCLC has come to this point. We have allowed a lie and a fabrication by one group of people to seriuosly damage the organizational reputation of SCLC, perhaps fatally, and to harm Dr. King’s legacy.”

“I would like to see those involved in creating these lies, give an apology to the people of the dream, not to me personally. I would like to see this cloud removed from the organization and for us to come together, including those who created this problem.

“I would like to rebuild the organization to move forward with its original purpose to serve those who are least among us. I am in favor of a reconciliation,” said Gordon.

Rev. Markel Hutchins, one of the six, who served as SCLC interim president, before being removed during the court struggle for control

said that the D.A.’s report should be released to restore the damaged reputations of the organization and the maligned members.

Leadership of the organization has passed on to Isaac  Newton Farris Jr., who is Dr. King’s nephew and now serves as SCLC President and is trying to revive the organization from its Atlanta base. Farris was installed by the Board members who dismissed the six board members who would like to see the report released and some reconciliation of the parties in the interest of furthering SCLC’s mission.