Easter Seals fires Iowa head over alleged theft

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- The chief executive of the Iowa branch of the Easter Seals has been fired after an audit showed $230,000 of the charity's funds missing.

Martha Wittkowski, 44, was fired following an internal investigation, her successor, Donna Elbrecht, said Tuesday.

"Our board of directors were made aware of some things they thought they should thoroughly check into," Elbrecht said.

The Polk County Sheriff's Department has launched a criminal investigation.

"What we want all of our donors and friends to know is we had a situation and we took care of it," Charles Funk, chairman of the nonprofit's state board of directors, told The Des Moines Register.