Wellington, New Zealand – In a shocking revelation, Python New Zealand (Python NZ), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the popular programming language Python, has been victim to a five-year embezzlement scheme orchestrated by its former treasurer, CarlosBavastrello Cordero. Cordero, 51, has been found guilty by the Invercargill District Court of stealing over $70,000from the association between February 2019 and October 2023.
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the Python NZ community, leaving the organization on the brink of bankruptcy. Cordero, who also served as the head of theannual Kiwi PyCon conference, used his position to siphon funds from the association’s bank account for personal expenses. His actions not only left Python NZ with a significant debt but also jeopardized the organization’s ability to host its flagship conference.
There were 1,674 transactions that were completely unrelated to Python NZ business, said Tom Eastman, president of Python NZ. The debit amount was $66,051.15, and the credit amount was $17,202.18. The net unauthorized and unrelated transactionswere $48,849.23.
Eastman further revealed that the embezzlement started small, with occasional unauthorized transactions. However, the frequency and amount of the transactions increased over time, ranging from fast food purchases to expensive electronics. There was over $10,000 spent atStarbucks, Hamilton Zoo entry, $7,000 spent at fast-food chains, $8,000 spent at supermarkets, Eastman stated.
Adding to the severity of the situation, Cordero also applied for a Small Business Cashflow Scheme (SBCS) loan on behalf of Python NZ without the association’sknowledge. The SBCS was a government program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the financial hardship, Python NZ has received overwhelming support from the open-source community, which has rallied behind the organization. The association is now working to recover from the financial blow and rebuild its reputation.
This is a tragic situation, but it also highlights the strength and resilience of the open-source community, said one member of the Python NZ community. We are committed to supporting Python NZ and ensuring its continued success.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability within organizations, particularly thoserun by volunteers. It also underscores the potential for financial fraud, even within seemingly trustworthy groups. As Python NZ navigates this difficult period, the open-source community stands ready to help the organization recover and continue its mission of promoting Python.
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