Gulf Coast Media dug into two reports of wrongdoing in Baldwin County in 2023, with impact ranging from the fallout of a botched music festival to a nonprofit's misuse of tax dollars.

Legitimacy questioned of new Rockabilly BamaLama festival in Robertsdale
The Rockabilly BamaLama Music Festival, put on by CGE Productions and scheduled at the Robertsdale Coliseum in July, was abruptly canceled after the first day, leaving attendees, vendors and musicians seeking answers and refunds.

Issues included breached contracts with musicians, discrepancies in advertised arrangements for vendors and a lack of promised health department representation. CGE Productions promoted that all funds from the festival were benefiting the nonprofit Living Autism US, aiming to fund a residential community for those on the autism spectrum. However, discrepancies arose as the festival's connection to the nonprofit was questioned.

Despite prior emails from the organizer and previous interviews with Gulf Coast Media in which Judith Galloway emphasized the event's dedication to the cause, she later informed Gulf Coast Media that the festival was not officially classified as a fundraiser. An IRS Tax Exempt search did not yield results for the nonprofit in Alabama. To date, bands and vendors have still not received payment or reimbursements.

Tax records reveal nonprofit spent Baldwin County tax money on director's salary
The Fairhope-based nonprofit Baldwin County Abuse Network Incorporated/Southwest Alabama Abuse Network has been accused of misusing tobacco tax funds over the last two decades.

Reports suggest funds intended for community welfare were diverted to executive salaries, particularly that of the executive director, Rachel Marcinko. Tax records from 2003 to 2020 reveal a significant portion of the tax money allocated to the nonprofit went to the director's salary.

In response to these allegations, state Rep. Donna Givens, District 64, sponsored HB483, which passed on June 1, reallocating the funds to create and maintain a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program. The legislative action aims to ensure that the funds directly benefit the community by supporting victims of sexual abuse across Baldwin County.