Four departing board members sent embattled Executive Director Brent Andersen a letter Friday - days after Utah Republican Party Chairwoman Enid Greene publicly criticized him and after mass resignations by the aquarium's board became public - telling him that his contract would not be renewed at the end of June.

But acting board chairman and Andersen supporter Brad Carroll said the letter is not binding. He said the four are no longer board members, though in an e-mail Friday he demanded their resignations.

"It's an illegal letter and we'll take it all the way to court," Carroll said, adding that he has unilaterally extended Andersen's contract for three years. Andersen did not return phone calls Friday.

Carroll said he and Andersen plan to hold a news conference Monday to lay out criminal and civil allegations against various board members. And he accused the four of leaking false information to the press to discredit Andersen and the aquarium.

It's one more twist in the strange saga of the aquarium, which operates in temporary exhibit space in Sandy.

The District Attorney's Office is considering charging a former employee for theft. Since January, 10 board members have either resigned or announced that they would leave.

And Greene, who left the board in 2006, told The Salt Lake Tribune that current management could not be trusted with $34 million in public funds that the aquarium wants in order to build a permanent facility in Salt Lake City.

Arthur Benjamin was one of the four departing board members who voted not to renew Andersen's contract.

"Given the current climate, given the stories . . . we thought we shouldn't renew a contract for three years," Benjamin said. The board had until Friday to decide; otherwise, the contract would be automatically renewed.

"The action was not taken to hurt the aquarium or anybody associated with it," Benjamin said. "It was just a nonrenewal of a contract."

If the letter is found valid, it wouldn't mean Andersen is ousted. Benjamin said new board members could negotiate a new contract with him.

The down-slide started earlier this year.

In light of the theft allegations against the former employee - who in turn accused Andersen of financial improprieties - the former and departing board members had wanted a forensic audit.

But at an informal board meeting in February to discuss an investigation, AnderÂsen, his parents and his staff interrupted and announced the aquarium was closed and "animals would die."

Andersen then demanded that board members resign - or he would go public with his allegations against the board.

Board members quit and the inquiry stalled.

"It didn't move forward because the staff, led by Brent, would have closed the aquarium and let the fish die," Benjamin said.

While praising Andersen's day-to-day operation of the aquarium, Benjamin said none of the board members wanted to work with him anymore.

"It's an irreconcilable difference on the board. Somebody has to go. Brad [Carroll] is the only one who wants to be involved with Brent."

In the middle of the controversies, the aquarium is seeking additional Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks taxes. It has received $406,240 from ZAP since 1999. The funds pay for education programs, including the Utah Waters Van and Rainforest Van.

Victoria Bourns, ZAP program manager, said the citizen ZAP board will carefully scrutinize the aquarium's application - which includes audited financial statements - in light of the recent articles.

"They'll try to see if anything looks out of place. Just because somebody says something about a management style doesn't mean they're not providing the services to the schools.

"That's what we're funding them for."

hmay@sltrib.com