Where's the money, Lebowski?!?!?

Alas, it seems that nothing is above the fray:

Ex-president of James Beard culinary foundation arraigned over missing funds

I'm assuming that most people know

1. Who James Beard was
and
2. What the purpose of the foundation carrying his name is.

If not, you can check their website at give it a read. Here's is the mission statement:

"To foster the appreciation and development of gastronomy by preserving and promulgating our culinary heritage, and by recognizing and promoting excellence in all aspects of the culinary arts."

It is pretty safe to say that the Beard Founddation is more or less the gold standard of all things gastronomique in this country. The good man James passed on a few years back and this foundation was started up to carry on the legacy. Here's how it works: James bought a little shack in NYC and this is home base for the foundation. World famous cooks come in and strut their stuff. I could drop some names, but why do it myself? From the website:

"Nearly every night of the week, culinary talents such as Jody Adams, Daniel Boulud, Gail Gand, Suzanne Goin, Emeril Lagasse, Nobu Matsuhisa, Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton, Caprial Pence, Jacques Pépin, Douglas Rodriguez, Anne Rosenzweig, Susan Spicer, and Charlie Trotter, work their magic in Beard's kitchen. These dinners not only offer an opportunity to enjoy splendid meals, but a chance to discuss food with great chefs, wine professionals, journalists, cookbook authors, and other members"

If you're a member of the foundation, they knock a few points off the total cost of the meal. So what does it all mean? Well. the Beard Foundation is a non-profit organization. As it turns out, it may be non-profit by design:

"Leonard Pickell, 50, pleaded not guilty to an indictment that charges him with second-degree grand larceny - stealing at least $50,000 US - and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Assistant Attorney General Johanna Sullivan told Justice James Yates: "He came into our office and confessed to taking over $90,000."

Now, I'm no lawyer so forgive me for saying this,but 'Am I a total idiot or is this guy Pickell a genius? He's being charged with stealing $50K but is pleading 'not guilty'. Is that because he's holding out for 'first-degree grand larceny?

"The prosecutor said Pickell wrote checks on foundation accounts to cover personal expenses. She said he stole the money by getting reimbursed on bogus receipts or by submitting multiple repayment requests for a single expense."

and then...

"The probe started after foundation members alleged that Pickell improperly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, that the foundation had not filed tax returns for two years and that less scholarship money than expected went to students."

I would agrue that Pickell didn't do anything wrong. He was just following the lead of countless restauranteurs in the 'Real World'. Somebody find out if this guy developed a taste for the booger sugar recently. Or maybe, he bought a boat.

If so, I win.