Fired for directing finances into her own pockets, former Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Director of Finance and Administration Sidnee Lewis is at the center of an investigation into reports that the former executive stole a combined amount of more than $84,000 from the Chamber and Beaumont Chamber Foundation over the span of several months.
Sources tell The Examiner that, although Lewis was granted grace by then President Steve Ahlenius and placed on temporary probation after coming forward and confessing to stealing a much smaller amount of money and promising to pay it back just before the Memorial Day holiday, the following week, an employee one of the organization’s financial institutions approached the Chamber with concerns regarding unusual account activity made by Lewis. The theft was then reported to the board of directors and the organization’s lawyer, and under legal advisement, the Chamber reported the misappropriation of funds to the Beaumont Police Department.
As of press time, sources tell The Examiner that the case was forwarded from the Beaumont Police Department to the District Attorney’s Office for consideration of indictment by a grand jury.
Lewis served as regional supervisor for LNC Properties of Houston before being named director of Finance and Administration for the Chamber on Nov. 1, 2022.
The resignation of Chamber President and CEO Steve Ahlenius, effective Sept. 30, was announced Aug. 30, citing a significant health issue that necessitates his full attention to healing and recovery. In light of this transition, the Board of Directors recently named Mary Poole as interim president/CEO.
An integral part of the Chamber’s past leadership, Poole will assume responsibilities Oct. 1.
Poole released the following statement regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds to The Examiner on behalf of the GBCOC:
“In May 2024, the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce identified a case of misappropriation of funds allegedly by the former Director of Finance. During a deeper examination, the Chamber also discovered misappropriation of funds at the Beaumont Chamber Foundation connected to the same case. Under the advice of our legal counsel, the Chamber immediately contacted the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, and the Chamber reported the matter to the Beaumont Police Department.
“The case is currently under investigation.”