The chief executive of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra has been charged with exploiting a vulnerable adult to steal more than $15,000 while acting with that person's power of attorney.
In response to the four felony counts filed last week in Olmsted County District Court, the symphony announced Saturday that it has placed CEO Jeffrey A. Amundson on paid leave as the case advances.
Amundson, of Rochester, was charged by summons and has a March 12 court date to answer to four counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
In announcing Amundson's leave from the post he first took in April 2011, the orchestra noted that it has "financial controls" that call for monthly reviews as well as scrutiny from outside experts.
"These reviews have never revealed financial irregularities," the orchestra statement read.
Amundson stole the money between January 2011 and December 2013 from a man who had granted Amundson power of attorney in 2004, according to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, citing the criminal complaint.
Amundson denied stealing the money and said the victim owed him $20,000 because he had "paid for the victim's apartment and helped him get Social Security benefits and medical assistance," the Post-Bulletin quoted the complaint as reading.
Before joining the symphony staff, Amundson was development director for the History Center of Olmsted County in Rochester.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
