It’s still unclear what exactly led to the firing of Joe McHaney, now the former director of Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District. Now it appears answers may be on the way. That’s a good thing, because the public deserves to know what happened.

McHaney was placed on administrative leave April 12, and the district’s board began looking into what it then described as an “internal matter.”

He was fired in June and the termination document noted that the board felt its investigation into the matter supported theft allegations, though McHaney denied that.

So far, the board has been tight lipped about details of what it believes an investigation of the district’s finances turned up. That may not be surprising. Governing boards tend not to want to air their dirty linen in public. But it does create a difficult position for the public. The district is a public entity and is supported by taxpayer dollars. And what about McHaney and his reputation?

Jefferson County District Attorney Steve Leriche began investigating the allegations against McHaney himself and recently turned the inquiry over to the state Department of Justice.

It was the right move: The Madras Police Department would normally handle investigative work for the district attorney, and a member of the department, Sgt. Steve Webb, is also a member of the recreation district’s governing board.

The district has moved on to some extent. The board hired an interim director, Gary Barth, of Clackamas, Monday night. It hopes to have a permanent replacement within the next three to six months.

And, it is moving to end its relationship with the Kids Club, which McHaney directed for two years before taking over as director of the recreation district.

But the public does still need to know what, if anything, McHaney did wrong and whether his behavior was criminal or simply misguided.