I don't know. Do you? Yet didn't the same happen when someone in the kitchen was made manager? Didn't Townsend obtain experience working under two different Food & Beverage Managers at the Yacht Club over a three-year or longer period?

2) Why are the POS systems in place at various establishments operated at the OPA suddenly under increased scrutiny for audit? What's done on the POS systems that might require further inspection?

My take? Nothing so sinister as you perhaps may believe. I think the POS is just an easy target for the board to address and act like it is doing something for the least amount of money.

3) Why was an employee (one assumes a manager-level-type) given a full year's pay (but definitely in a "lump sum" form, naturally) via some nonsense contract, according to your "informed source?" If this did indeed occur, who made the call to do so, and why? Was the BOD aware?

My information indicates the contract or agreement or whatever you call it was not for a lump sum payment, rather for a payout weekly over the 12 months separation terms. I have no idea if the board was aware of the terms that gave a separation agreement. The board was hopefully aware if OPA cut a lump sum check fo a large amount. I am not even aware if the board was aware of the full terms of the original employment agreement back when Thompson was GM.

4) Why did the OPA only decide to fire the individual responsible for the YC theft, instead of, y'know, PRESSING CHARGES? 

I cannot say with any certainty.