'An incredibly odd way of doing business'Former human resources director says checks were made out to him to keep funds from being spent By Warren Wise (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Alan Hawes The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Head Start program is headquartered on U.S. Highway 52 in Moncks Corner. Previous storiesHead Start: Broke by October? Parents, board members upset with leadership, published 08/08/08 Agency has at least $1.2M deficit; State office says group repeatedly violated regulations, published 08/05/08 Head Start issues simmer, published 07/31/08 Head Start chief to vacate post, published 07/30/08 Deadline looms for Head Start, published 01/13/08 Agreement could be near on Head Start funds, published 01/22/08 A former employee of the agency that oversees the local Head Start program provided some startling insight Friday into how the embattled agency handled some of its finances. Former Human Resources Director John F. Singleton said checks were written to him totaling nearly $75,000 by the Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp. to keep state funds used to help people caulk and seal drafty homes from being spent on other things. He said he cashed the checks and kept the money in a safe in his home until he repaid the agency right before he resigned. Singleton received two checks — one for $51,303.75 on Sept. 10 and another for $23,403.03 on Oct. 3 — from the EDC account. Singleton said he repaid the money on Dec. 4. On Friday, he provided The Post and Courier with copies of two cashier's checks written to the agency in the exact amount of the original checks he received. Singleton said he never used any of the money and reimbursed the agency shortly before leaving his $76,000-a-year EDC position for another opportunity. He said he did not put the money in his personal bank account because he did not want anyone to think he had profited by earning interest on the money. Singleton said he saw nothing wrong with receiving the money. "It wasn't the best practice, but in terms of trying to balance the program, it was done with the board chairman's approval," said Singleton, who has hired an attorney. "I want to be on the up and up about all of this." The state Office of Economic Opportunity released a report Monday that said the EDC repeatedly violated regulations governing how state and federal grant money should be spent on programs such as Head Start. The EDC receives state funds to run programs such as weatherizing assistance and neighborhood improvement grants, and federal money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the school program for poor children. Singleton said the money he repaid came from non-federal dollars. "It seems an incredibly odd way of doing business," Joel Sawyer, Gov. Mark Sanford's press secretary, said after hearing Singleton's explanation for how some of the funds were handled. "The purposes of the checks may have been completely legitimate, but the reason they were put in the audit was because they (EDC) didn't note why they were issued to the employee," Sawyer said. Checks written to Singleton were signed by former EDC Chairman Willie Mitchell and the former executive director of the local Head Start program, Patsy Gardiner. She was asked to resign July 27 after the EDC board learned of financial problems, a $1.2 million deficit and a call by the state to repay $238,000 within 30 days in non-federal monies that the state Office of Economic Opportunity had advanced to the agency. Mitchell said he was no longer affiliated with the EDC and could not say what the checks specifically paid for unless the reason was posted on the checks. It was not. Seven unexplained checks totaling $56,368.13 were made payable to Gardner from Dec. 15, 2005, until Oct. 12. All but one check was written between May 2007 and October. The checks ranged from $5,000 to $11,057.69. Gardner could not be reached for comment. Other checks released to The Post and Courier by the governor's office showed Singleton received a check May 18, 2007, for $2,308. Singleton said the money was for unused vacation time. Singleton received two more checks on Aug. 22 and Sept. 10 for $5,384 and $17,000, respectively. Singleton said those were payments to him for additional duties he performed on top of his human resources job. He said the agency agreed to pay him for assisting as EDC deputy director and overseeing the federal Community Service Block Grant program. "I did the duties for a year without any compensation," he said. He received another check on Oct. 12 for $8,625.24, but he could not recall what the payment was for. Levy Berry, EDC board chairman since January, said Friday that he did not know what the checks were for and that Singleton's revelations of the agency's financial dealings were news to him. On Wednesday, Berry said EDC has enough money to carry the Head Start program through September, three months short of the agency's fiscal year, but he said EDC is doing all it can to come up with funds to keep the agency running. "This board is committed to do whatever it takes to bring about the safeguards so the children and families will be cared for," he said. Berry said the latest revelations of financial mismanagement could jeopardize the agency's contract to run the Head Start program. "We have quite an uphill battle," he said. If EDC loses the contract to operate Head Start, the national office of Head Start will continue operations through the national Head Start interim management grantee process, said Arne W. Owens, director of public affairs for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families. The Office of Head Start does not expect to provide additional funds to EDC, but Owens said the program that serves 1,650 children in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties would not cease to operate if EDC loses the contract. It would continue under an on-call contractor that would take over the program through a separate funding stream. "We want to make sure we keep the kids in the program and there is no negative impact on the kids," Owens said. Reach Warren Wise at wwise@postandcourier.com or 745-5850. |
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Comments
This article has 23 comment(s)
Posted by LutherVanderhorst on August 9, 2008 at 3:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you divided the Head Start budget by the "real" services rendered to kids, you would be appalled.
Head Start is an employment program for well connected idiots.
Posted by lillycollette on August 9, 2008 at 4:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with LV and feel the same way about a lot of these governmentally funded make-work jobs. The majority of welfare that is being doled out is “white-collar welfare” to the agency employees.
Posted by lillycollette on August 9, 2008 at 4:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The money that poor people needed to help weatherize their homes wasn’t available for them—BECAUSE IT WAS BEING PROTECTED IN SINGLETON’S HOME SAFE.
Is there a punch-line to this crap?
Posted by WhoCares on August 9, 2008 at 4:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Boy, talk about the fox guarding the henhouse!!! Unfortunately in this case the hens are taxpayers. And you ain't seen nothing yet... If Obama is elected president we're all going to get plucked!!!
Posted by sarabean428 on August 9, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So were payroll taxes paid on the money that was used for vaction time reimbursement? It is always taken out of mine!
Should we check the home safes of all the other HeadStart officials? 75K was found in just this one safe... think about what could be in the others! The deficit would be gone!
I'm thinking it is time to wipe the slate clean with management and the overseeing of this program. There is such a need for this program in the LowCountry, but apparently there is not much in the way of leadership (or honesty) in the current management. What are you bringing home that you don't remember what an $8600 check is for??? I'd certainly remember that!
Posted by feb251939 on August 9, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Your tax dollars at work.
Posted by eatmorecollards on August 9, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where did he find a opportunity more lucrative than that? The Obama campaign???
Posted by justmyview on August 9, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a shame that a program that has such noble intentions can be ruined by incompetence and greed of management.
Posted by twolane on August 9, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on now....tell it like it is!! Assisting the Deputy Director?? Who was that person? No such animal. If I recall, Patsy was grooming John to do that...and to be the Head Start Director.
Two checks?? Somehow, in this very article it expanded to six checks....let's see....51303.75 + 23403.03 + 2308 + 5384 + 17000 + 8625.24.
So sad, that is more than 10 year's worth of salary for some Head Start employees. And, under Mr. Singleton's direction, many of those employees received "generous increases" of an average of 25 cents in 2007!!
Co-mingling of funds....maybe!! Fraud....absolutely!! Grand larceny, you betcha!!
Posted by justsaying on August 9, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One question to eatmorecollards and whocares. What has Obama got to do with the situation at the local headstart program? Is there something else about this situation that you know that is not revealed in the related stories? Are you implying guilty by association? and what might that association be... Justsaying that's a giant leap to make a connection like that
Posted by eatmorecollards on August 9, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
justsaying,
If we have to explain it to you. You wouldn't understand.
Posted by captivated on August 9, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To eatmorecollards and whocares -----GOBAMA GOBAMA GO!!!!! We can't have a senile old man for president. AS for Singleton and his cronies - JAIL!
Posted by jeff61 on August 10, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would rather have a senile old man then this clown...The last "senile old man" we had as president did a hell of a job.
Posted by dbeast420 on August 10, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder how much they paying for the building they're leasing????
Posted by jeff61 on August 10, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shut this cesspool of corruption down and start arresting people for thief of funds and breach of trust. This place is more screwed up then James Brown estate.
Posted by jeff61 on August 10, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
'An incredibly odd way of doing business'
How about an incredibly illegal way of doing business. This group from all appearances stole federal money. Indicte all of them and make them pay back all the money with interest to include the Myrtle Beach trips.......
Posted by bigcitygal on August 10, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well this comment is directed to eatmorecollards and whocares. What does SENATOR BARACK OBAMA HAS TO DO WITH THIS? You two people have no brains at all,we dont see
the humor in your comment.I only see ignorance and as for
jeff61 you are brainless also if you think that senile old
man can fix this country.He will do the same crappy job as
The Bushs. Like SENATOR BARACK OBAMA says IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE.(YES WE CAN,YES WE CAN)
Posted by WhoCares on August 11, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
to bigcitygal... If you're really hoping obama becomes president, I have but one bit of advice for you: Get used to bending over and saying aaaaahhh!!!
Posted by madeaboutit on August 11, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Well Well! ...... I was wrong. It was $75,000. What a mess. How the hell can a Personnel Director take home money that didn't even belong to him.
He couldn't think of anything better to say...... J.S. needs to get his story right.
This story just does not add up? Pull out the handcuffs and Orange Jump Suit. He'll have a ball in the joint.
Posted by bigcitygal on August 11, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to whocares: who cares what advice you have,we all know
your small minded.Could it be you can't have a conversation
and not show any ignorance.This is the last comment you will
recieve from me,I am use to talking to intelligent people.
There is nothing you can say or do to stop progress.A few
greedy people weather black ,white,red or green does not
mean we all steal or commit crimes.So get with it or keep
your ignorant non intelligent comments to yourself.
Posted by bigcitygal on August 11, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well back to the issues at hand.Now it is time to do what needs to be done. All those kids and their families that
depend on those funds.All the employees that will possible
be out of a job,and just didn't have anything to do with
what went down. Now they all have to suffer the consequences
of others actions. So come on yall know what has to be done!
Ms.Gardner didn't do this alone the whole financial office
is at fault and Mr.I took it home to put in a safe you can't
be serious...What kind of answer is that?
Posted by madeaboutit on August 13, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)
Being_Real: This comment is for you. Yes! I was wrong. It wasn't $50,000 it was $75,000. Yes, I didn't know the money was took home and put away in a Safe Box. Answer me this question. How can a Personnel Director take home money that does not even belong to him? A real Personnel Manager/Director, to my knowledge does not practice this type of behavior. What kind of Fraganackel Bull sh$% is this? First of all I'm not stupid, the Federal Bureau of Investigators are not stupid. He should of took his time to think about a story, a little bit more convincing. If he thinks he can get away with this. He is sadly mistaken. Are these the words that were used... was it his ignorance and his malicious behavior that the Agency has been slandered? Think about it!
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Posted by mark29461 on August 15, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this guy is Personnel Director at James Island PSD now--there was another article in the paper about it. Scary!