The Pensacola Little Theatre quietly cut a $65,632 check to the Escambia Children’s Trust this summer, reimbursing grant funds that the 90-year-old cultural institution now admits were spent “in error.” The substantial repayment, delivered with little fanfare in July, came two months after Executive Director Sid Williams resigned amid what he and the organization termed “disputed expenses.”
On July 24, the Pensacola Little Theatre sent a check to the Escambia Children’s Trust for $65,631.69. The cover email from attorney Jim Reeves, who serves as PLT’s finance chair, said, “I am sending you herewith a check in the amount of $65,631.69 together with a list of reimbursements that you made to Pensacola Little Theatre that we have determined were in error.”
Payment came nearly two months after Sid Williams resigned as the cultural organization’s executive director, regarding what the PNJ reported as “recent concerns regarding ‘disputed expenses’ brought to PLT’s Executive Committee. The Board of Trustees sent a statement, which we received yesterday:
At The Clark Family Cultural Center and the Pensacola Little Theatre, our mission has always been to enrich our community through the power of the performing arts. Over the past 90 years, the theatre has grown in ways our founders could never have imagined. We are incredibly proud of the recent improvements made at the Clark Family Cultural Center and are deeply grateful for the generations of support that have made this possible.
Recently, concerns regarding disputed expenses have been brought to the attention of members of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Since then, the Executive Director has submitted his resignation.
A thorough financial review independently certified all findings. All parties have been satisfied with the resolutions and reparations made.
The incredible artists, staff, volunteers, donors, and patrons of Pensacola Little Theatre deserve nothing less than full confidence in the organization. We remain focused on our mission, and please be assured that all upcoming productions, programs, and capital campaign improvements will continue as planned.
In appreciation,
Pensacola Little Theatre Board of Trustees
At the time, Williams didn’t deny the disputed expenses but offered few specifics. He told the PNJ: “During our review, I assure donors, patrons, and supporters to remain resolute in the organization’s commitment to be good stewards of monies entrusted to the nonprofit.”
Why the check?
Kathy Holsworth, Artistic Director/Interim Executive Director, confirmed that grant funds have been reimbursed to the Escambia Children’s Trust. She could not provide further details because all parties had signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
- “A third party reviewed our finances, and we made reparations on the grants,” she said. “We learned a lot from the process and made changes accordingly on our end.”
Grant Details
The Escambia Children’s Trust awarded PLT a three-year grant of $359,618 for its “Character Building Through Building Characters” out-of-school time program. As of June 30, PLT had drawn down $218,781.86 and is due to receive $129,937 this year. See PLT Contract Schedule
- Its percentage of participants living in very high to extremely high-poverty neighborhoods has dropped from 38% during the first year to 20% this past year. The percentage of Black children has decreased from 34% to 18%. See PLT 2024-25 Report
Tax Dollars: The Escambia Children’s Trust is funded through a dedicated, voter-approved property tax levied in Escambia County, Florida. This tax revenue is collected annually and is used to fund grants, programs, and services benefiting children and families within the county. The Trust operates independently of county government and is governed by its own board.
Errors?
The list of reimbursements “determined were in error” spans from September 2023 to February 2025, the two largest being $10,995 for Dual 1-way Arry for Performance/Rehearsal and $9,000 for Production Theatre Riser Set and Stair Set. See ect 2.
“Errors” by Year:
- 2023: $14,162.83
- 2024: $41,680.64
- 2025: $9,788.22
For Trust, these “errors” mean that the monies spent on children enrolled in the “Characters” program were overstated by $65,632. For Year 2, Trust staff reported that PLT spent $80,284 on children, or $464.09 per participant. The actual expenditure was $28,818.71, or only $166.58 per child. PLT 2024-25 Report
- Tax dollars intended for children were spent elsewhere. The email from Reeves doesn’t clearly state who made the errors in reimbursements.
Trust Surprised
The Children’s Trust executive director, Lindsey Cannon, said she had no contact with Reeves about the matter until she received the email on July 24. She said Reeves had been talking with Will Dunaway of Clark Partington, the law firm that represents the Trust.
- The reimbursement check was not reported at the Trust Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The figures in the 2024-25 Out-of-School Time Annual Report were not adjusted to reflect the $65K check. See Full Report.
From: James J. Reeves (Staff)
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2025 5:06 PM
To: Lindsey Cannon; Will Dunaway;
Cc: Chris Heaney; Kathy Holsworth; Lynn Mitchell; Beth Skarda; Dannyzuf@aol. Com; Jarot Scarbrough; Valerie Russenberger; David T. Clark
Subject: Reimbursement Check/PLT
Lindsay,
Pursuant to our conversation of 7/23/25, I am sending you herewith a check in the amount of $65,631.69 together with a list of reimbursements that you made to Pensacola Little Theatre that we have determined were in error.
Obviously, I am sending you a facsimile of the check along with the list. Where would you like me to have the actual check delivered to?
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Very Yours Truly,
James J. Reeves, Esq.
Note: Since our first issue on July 1, 1999, Inweekly has supported the arts and the Pensacola Little Theatre. The PLT Board of Trustees should be commended for having an independent review of its finances and for making reparations to the Escambia Children’s Trust. While we understand the PLT Board of Trustees’ desire to move beyond this issue, tax dollars are involved, which requires an extra layer of transparency.
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