Agency denies allegations of falsifying client reports

Agency denies allegations of falsifying client reports

http://www.starbanner.com/article/20...W=270&MaxH=200

BY RICK CUNDIFF
Star-Banner
OCALA - A former employee of the Ocala Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
Center is claiming the nonprofit agency provides false statistics to its
funding sources.

James G. Walker, who worked at the center as finance director and
assistant executive director for about two years, sent a letter to the
United Way of Marion County on Aug. 10. In that letter, Walker claimed
domestic violence center executive director Judy Wilson "either
double-counted clients or even just pulled numbers out of thin air to
make the goals we set."

Walker's letter alleged the center worked with only about 2,500 clients
a year, not the more than 5,000 reported.

"I would total up the actual count, or at least as close as I could get
to an actual count, and then Judy would change numbers to get to the
numbers she needed," Walker wrote.

Wilson responded Tuesday that the numbers reported to United Way were
accurate, and that tally sheets open to the public and presented to
United Way showed the total client count is closer to 7,000 a year.

"We haven't had 2,500 people for years," she said.

Wilson said the agency suspended Walker without pay on March 29 amid
reports of inappropriate behavior on his part. Although Walker is no
longer employed by the center, the organization is still investigating
the matter, she added.

"We found out that Mr. Walker may have had some inappropriate behavior,"
she said, declining to specify. Wilson did say there was no evidence of
financial impropriety on Walker's part.

"There's nothing missing," she said.

Walker ran against Dennis Baxley for the District 24 Florida House seat
in 2006. An Iraq war veteran, he was recalled to active duty and shipped
to South Carolina in June, on his way back to Iraq. Walker could not be
reached for comment by e-mail Tuesday.

United Way president Maureen Quinlan also could not be reached for
comment late Tuesday. But a "talking points" memo that Quinlan sent to
United Way board members indicates the agency has asked Wilson to
respond to Walker's allegations within 10 days.

Quinlan's memo also indicates the domestic violence center is
"considered to be compliant with United Way's accountability
requirements and reporting procedures at this time."

In a written response to United Way, Wilson said Walker was placed on
unpaid administrative leave on March 29, a day after he changed the
password on his computer and refused to tell either Wilson or center
board of directors treasurer Cory Pool what the new password was.

"I think he thought I was going to find out some stuff and fire him,"
Wilson said.

Pool was traveling Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.

Walker refused to use the center's standardized accounting software,
substituting his own method, Wilson said.

Walker's letter to United Way also indicated the Florida Department of
Children and Families would be investigating the domestic violence
center for allegations of fraud. Wilson said no such investigation is
taking place.

"Nobody from DCF has said anything to us," she said. DCF officials could
not be reached late Tuesday.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway said there was no evidence of
a criminal investigation against anyone at the center.

Walker has complained to multiple agencies, including the Florida
Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an umbrella group of domestic
violence centers statewide, of which the Ocala center is a member. That
agency's oversight committee is reviewing Walker's allegations, Wilson said.

"It is their job, if somebody gets a complaint, to investigate it," she
said.

The coalition was unable to confirm Tuesday whether it was investigating.

Rick Cundiff may be reached at or (352)
867-4130.



CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA
WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....

CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.

every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS

*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*

Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5

Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that
are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per
100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse
and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the
citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold
parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY
government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and
death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more
human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which
they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that
they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when
children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a
bunch of social workers.


CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT
FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...


BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...