Civil rights group SCLC removes board chairman, treasurer, amid probe of mismanagement claims

Civil rights group SCLC unseats 2 leaders in probe

ATLANTA — Officials with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference have removed the organization’s board chairman and treasurer while they conduct an internal investigation into claims of mismanagement.

The allegations surround the Rev. Raleigh Trammell, the chairman, and treasurer Spiver Gordon. A telephone call made to Trammell in Dayton, Ohio, was not answered. Gordon, of Eutaw, Ala., did not immediately return a phone call.

The civil rights organization was first headed by Martin Luther King Jr. as president from 1957 until his assassination in 1968.

Officials say they launched the investigation in October concerning mismanagement of organization funds.

The Rev. Sylvia Tucker was named as acting chairman. Attorney Randall Gaines is standing in as treasurer.