Ex-Hershey Official Claims Charity Wrongdoing

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A former official involved with the multibillion-dollar charitable trust that controls the Hershey candy company is claiming in a court filing that board members used trust assets to enrich themselves and take luxury hotel stays and free golf outings.

Robert Reese filed the document Tuesday in Dauphin County Orphans Court. In another filing Thursday, he printed a letter from the Hershey Trust Co., the bank that manages the charity's money, saying he had been fired as trust president.

Reese also accuses the trust of misspending millions and violating securities regulations.

The Hershey Trust oversees more than $7 billion in assets. Reese is a former top executive at the candy maker and his grandfather started Reese's candy company.

The trust's letter of termination accused Reese of violating securities laws.