The woman who was briefly the federal Conservative candidate in Halifax is out of a job, after questions surfaced about her employer's finances.

The board of the All Women's Empowerment and Development Association (AWEDA) has suspended executive director Rosamond Luke without pay and temporarily closed the office.

Three months ago, the federal government gave AWEDA nearly $143,000, with Nova Scotia cabinet minister Peter MacKay delivering the cheque personally.

But now there are questions about what happened to the money.

Board chair Brenda Saunders-Todd told CBC News Monday that "accounting irregularities" have been discovered and the board has asked a lawyer for help.

Luke, who helped found AWEDA, said she knows nothing about any financial irregularities. She disputes the authority of the board to do what it has done and said her suspension is a result of her political activity.

Luke said the board isn't pleased she was chosen to run as a Conservative in the federal election.

Luke was handpicked by the party to run in the federal riding of Halifax. But she stepped down two days after she was announced as the Conservatives' pick, when her criminal record became public.

In July 2006, Luke was convicted of uttering threats and sentenced to 18 months probation. She was also convicted of breaching an undertaking in June 2007.

When she announced she was dropping out of the election race, Luke said she wanted to devote her time to AWEDA and the promotion of immigrant women.

The board issued a statement at that time saying it had the utmost confidence in Luke's integrity and ethical commitment.