The Pacifica National Board Majority announced the appointment of Bernard Duncan to be the disputed interim Executive Director in the first week of April, 2014. Board members report he was the only candidate and they did not interview him prior to the board vote. Some members of the board have never spoken to the person they “voted” to appoint.
Duncan was the general manager of Pacifica station KPFK for two years. During this time, KPFK lost its Community Service grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and ran quarter million dollar deficits both years.
Duncan’s interest in trying to replace his former boss was presented to the board a directors a mere two hours before the board meeting.
Duncan remains under contract with Pacifica from his previous position. He is on salary until April 15 with KPFK and scheduled for a lump severance pay-out in April. It is not clear to board members if the intent is to pay Duncan additional funds, if the previous employment contract is now “void” or what arrangements have been made by Margy Wilkinson who claims to be the chair of the board and made the motion for Duncan’s hire by the board.
During Duncan’s tenure, he was notified by several staff members of questionable activities in KPFK’s business office where the bookkeeper was filling out tax returns for H&R Block during working hours using KPFK’s computer equipment. The bookkeeper was not terminated until after Duncan’s resignation. After Duncan resigned, the bookkeeper was quickly let go by incoming general manager Richard Pirodsky after he arrived at the Los Angeles radio station to take over operational responsibility.
Board members indicate they attempted to discuss this matter, as well as the loss of the station’s entire Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting during the Pacifica National Board meeting where the motion to hire Duncan was put forth, but were not heard by the board officers. Requests for legal guidance, as well as a background check for the candidate, were denied.