Following news that its former executive director is suing Centro Latino, the Pierce County Council on Tuesday put a hold on nearly $30,000 worth of funding for the nonprofit group.

Joy Gomez-Gonzalez, the former director, says she was wrongfully fired when she questioned improper behavior by a board member. She accuses the board member, David Almonte, of using his position to secure a large contract for his furniture business and trying to hire a friend as a contractor on the renovation of Centro Latino’s Tacoma building.

Almonte has denied any wrongdoing. Other board members say their attorney has advised them not to speak with the media.

But a majority of County Council members wants to know more.

The county’s 2009 budget includes $29,630 for Centro Latino, a nonprofit group that serves the local Latino community with job training, youth mentoring and family services. The county money is included in a line item that provides $4.8 million for numerous nonprofits and community programs.

By a vote of 5-2, the council stipulated the county should not release funding for Centro Latino until the group reports to the council’s rules committee. The budget provision requires the nonprofit to report on its ‘financial condition and ongoing activities” and stipulates the council must reapprove the funding before it can be released to Centro Latino.

Republican Councilmen Dick Muri and Roger Bush, who sponsored the provision, said they want to ensure taxpayer money is being spent wisely.

“This is an exceptional circumstance,” Muri said. “I don’t know what’s going on (at Centro Latino).”

Two council members – Democrats Tim Farrell and Calvin Goings – opposed the provision. They said it was unfair to single out one group out of the dozens the county funds. And they suggested the council should scrutinize all of the groups equally.