July 21, 2009

There are two new developments in the disappearance of former Glenmore Country Club treasurer, Mike Comer. Comer hasn't been seen for weeks, and funds that he controlled are coming up hundreds of thousands of dollars short.

CBS19 has learned that Albemarle County Police are working with the FBI, and have begun a criminal investigation of Mike Comer and the missing $666,446. Investigators are working with the Glenmore Association to see if a white-collar crime has taken place.

Officials say these types of crimes are much more difficult to investigate than typical crimes where evidence is left at a crime scene.

We talked with a local attorney who’s dealt with several white collar criminal cases to find out what makes them so complicated.

"These investigations tend to be very document intensive. Investigators will look for documents, they'll look for computer records to determine whether there had been any criminal wrongdoing," said attorney Rhonda Quagliana.

Comer's wife, Kandi Comer, is speaking out. She released the following statement Tuesday morning.

"I cannot begin to describe how difficult Mike’s disappearance has been on our family. The worst part is that we do not know where Mike is or whether he is dead or alive. Our children who are 12 and 14 are understandably devastated. Life has not been the same for any of us since July 1st. Over the past 20 years I have only known Mike to be honest and hard working. He is a wonderful husband and a devoted father who truly adores his kids. Neither the kids nor Mike’s parents or I saw anything in the days and weeks preceding Mike’s disappearance that seemed suspicious or out of the ordinary. We are all just at a loss.

It is frustrating because we are thinking and worrying about Mike 24 hours a day and want to do something to help find him, but all we can do at this point is continue to pray that he is safe and will come home. I am grateful to the Wintergreen and Nelson County police departments who have been working hard to locate Mike and who have been keeping me up to date on the investigation. I know they will continue to be diligent in their search. I am hopeful that we will have some answers to our questions in the near future. In the meantime, I am trying to remain positive and focus on caring for my kids.

I want to thank everyone in the Glenmore community and in Charlottesville for the support they have shown to me and my children during the last 3 weeks. We appreciate your continued prayers for Mike and our family and ask that the media respect our privacy."

July 20, 2009

Glenmore officials, in a press release Monday afternoon, say a financial audit has revealed that a total of $666,446 is missing from the operating and reserve accounts due to apparently unauthorized activity by Mike Comer over the last four years. Comer has not been seen for nearly three weeks.

The original scope of the audit was to review 2008, but following concerns around the recent disappearance of Comer, the audit was extended to include the first six months of 2009, as well as a review of the balance sheets and some transactions during the previous three years.

Glenmore says unauthorized checks were issued from the association to Glenmore Associates, and incoming payments from Glenmore Country Club were recorded, but not in fact received.

The cash-flow statements and balance sheets issued each month by Comer showed no record of these transfers, which were discovered during the auditor’s detailed examination of the association’s bank account statements.

Glenmore says it appears that Comer acted alone in these matters, without the knowledge of any other individuals within the Country Club, Glenmore Associates, or the GCA.

Representatives have offered to provide restitution of the missing funds, though some of this will not be immediately available. Legally binding arrangements will be made to secure the repayment.

Comer, 45, was reported missing at Wintergreen on Wednesday, July 1, but the search efforts were called off two days later. Six days after his disappearance, Comer's access to Glenmore funds was cut off.

Glenmore Community Association President, Trevor Joscelyne says the community is still shocked.

"He worked hard for the community at large," said Joscelyne. "Was very generous in spirit and we were totally dismayed and upset when we found out that our accounts had been handled inappropriately and we had no inkling of this whatsoever. He is very sorely missed."

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