On January 11, general manager Shulie Wollman answered a cooperator’s question about the late distribution of audited financials by saying the report was imminent:

We are hopping to have the audited reporters completed and distributed to all shareholders by the end of January and a financial meeting scheduled for the 2 weeks into February.

A month later, Mr. Wollman had a different expectation:

Although the auditors expected to complete the audit by the end of January, they now have indicated that solely based on their work schedule it will take them longer to complete as tax season has intervened. We have strongly expressed our disappointment that other company obligations and business are keeping them from the completion of our financials on the schedule they previously announced. Because only the auditors can at this point control the completion date, I can only say that hopefully all will be finished this month as they are now claiming is their target time schedule.

We followed up with Marks Paneth, the accounting firm engaged to review East River financials. Here’s what partner Michael Saul had to say:

Please be assured that “tax season commitments” have NOTHING to do with the finalization of the financial statements as we treat EVERY SINGLE CLIENT as the most important client we have.

Rest assured that it is our competence and diligence and desire to get the shareholders fair financials that is holding up the process. The only thing that would diminish the reputation of this firm would be to perform shoddy work. Our firm represents some of the most notable cooperatives in NYC so we are well aware the timing and obligations involved.

He went on to quote Marks Paneth’s engagement letter with the coop:

We will issue a written report upon completion of our audit of the Corporation’s financial statements. Our report will be addressed to the management and board of directors of the Corporation. We cannot provide assurance that an unmodified opinion will be expressed. Circumstances may arise in which it is necessary for us to modify our opinion or add an emphasis-of-matter or other-matter paragraph. If our opinion is other than unmodified, we will discuss the reasons with you in advance. If, for any reason, we are unable to complete the audit or are unable to form or have not formed an opinion, we may decline to express an opinion or withdraw from this engagement.

That last bit sounds like a warning — that the auditors might not offer a good opinion of our financials, or might not be getting sufficient information from management to form an opinion at all. Either one could be have disastrous effect on potential buyers’ ability to get mortgages which in turn would push us further into debt.

Mr. Wollman and the board should offer a better explanation for why the financials are so late, and finally take responsibility for the problem themselves.