The Eugene Weekly says it鈥檚 been the victim of embezzlement, and as a result, it can鈥檛 go to print for the first time in more than 20 years.
According to the paper鈥檚 Editor-in-Chief, Camilla Mortensen, an employee siphoned funds meant to pay vendors, retirement and the electric bill. She said those losses likely exceed $100,000.
鈥淭his was blindsiding because in addition to being a newspaper, we are a small business,鈥� said Mortensen. 鈥淲e are locally and family owned, and everybody on staff has always cared deeply about each other.鈥�
Staff filed a police report on Dec. 19. Eugene Police confirmed to KLCC that they鈥檙e investigating the matter, while the newspaper said it鈥檚 hired a forensic accountant.
鈥淲e just owe money all over town,鈥� said Mortensen. 鈥淲e're still discovering the extent of what didn't get paid.鈥�
The Weekly鈥檚 website remains online, but the print edition has been suspended until further notice. Additionally, the paper has laid off its entire staff, although Mortensen said some employees are returning as volunteers.
Reporter Emerson Brady joined the newsroom in June. She said she鈥檚 seen how the Weekly can mobilize the community towards change, and she鈥檚 unwilling to leave that behind.
鈥淲hen you're faced with insane times, you have to do insane things,鈥� said Brady. 鈥淎nd if that means working for a paper that doesn't pay you right now, that's what I'm doing.鈥�
Mortensen said getting print up-and-running is a top priority, as in-paper advertisements provide an important revenue source. However, she said the Weekly still owes its printing partner, who is requesting to be paid up-front in the future.
The Weekly is now asking for from the public to help keep it afloat.
鈥淜nowing that you're going to get up on Thursday and there's going to be something in the Weekly you wanted to see is really important to this community,鈥� said Mortensen. 鈥淎nd the thought of not being able to provide that is devastating to me.鈥�
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