Rebo agrees to deal

Naomi Rebo, the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce executive director who recently resigned her position amid allegations of inappropriate use of a chamber debit card, has paid restitution, and she and the governing board have parted ways permanently.

“Naomi has paid full restitution, and both she and the chamber board have agreed to go our separate ways,” Chamber Board President Wayde Block said. “The board agreed we just want to move forward, and, because she has paid the money back, there will be no prosecution.”

Rebo resigned last month after it was determined she had purchased cigarettes with the Chamber of Commerce debit card. A cursory review of chamber finances found other purchases made by Rebo out of state. Rebo defended those purchases with receipts that counted against her paycheck.

“It was a misunderstanding of practice,” Rebo said when the purchases came to light last month. On Wednesday, Rebo said the split was amicable.

“I signed a confidentiality agreement,” Rebo said. “So, I can’t really discuss things. Everything is good. This is just something from which I want to walk away. I will say, I’m kind of disappointed, but I’m walking away with my head held up.”

While Rebo would not discuss terms of the restitution, she said the payback was less than $1,200, which would have constituted a felony.

“Oh gosh, far less than that,” Rebo said. “Nowhere near that.”

Block said the board finished its internal audit this week and then met with Rebo. Block would not disclose the amount of restitution, but confirmed Rebo has paid it in full, declining the notion there was a payment plan for payback.

“We don’t want an expensive legal battle,” Block said. “We just want to move forward in a positive manner.”

That positive nature includes further defining the executive director’s job description and clearly spelling out conduct procedures, he said.

“We’re just anxious to put this behind us and move forward so we can best serve our chamber members,” Block said.

The chamber board will meet next week to further discuss the executive director’s job description and criteria.