John Hope Settlement House Board Responds to Mismanagement Allegations
Saturday, October 04, 2014
Following recent allegations of political and financial misconduct, the board of the John Hope Settlement House -- chaired by Representative Anastasia Williams -- has fired back, saying it strongly defends "unsubstantiated accusations" from the group "Concerned Citizens for John Hope Settlement House."
"Their five point plan requires a response. However, it is important to recognize that the Board of Directors does not wish to engage in a public debate with this group nor its prior Executive Director, who voluntarily resigned from his position on August 25, 2014 after he was met with a number of Code of Ethics and Conduct Policy violations," stated the board in an unsigned statement.
Violations Alleged
In their statement, the JHSH board alleged the following of former Director Taino Palermo.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn a bulleted list, the board said Palermo "changed banking codes without Board knowledge or approval; committed JHSH to financial obligations in excess of his authority; hired personnel without Board knowledge and approval; hired JHSH personnel who were not properly vetted by DCYF through CPS, BCI, and fingerprints; increased salaries and benefits without Board knowledge or approval; and had JHSH documents shredded without Board knowledge or approval."
In addition, they cite that Palermo "failed to have the Agency’s vehicles re-registered and inspected by June 30, 2014; contracted with an unlicensed company who employed personnel for a summer camp and afterschool program, who were not properly vetted by DCYF through CPS, BCI, and fingerprints, which forced DCYF to shut the program down; and refused the Board’s initiative to work with a four member panel to assist in facilitating effective communications between himself and the Board."
"This conduct was deemed, by the Board, to be detrimental to the best interest of JHSH," wrote the board.
"As it relates to the plan proposed by the Concerned Citizens to remove the Board Chair and the existing Board Members, these volunteer Board Members who have a long and storied commitment to the mission of JHSH, and who have done nothing that would otherwise warrant removal from the Board, have no intention of removing themselves merely because some individuals have decided to level unfounded and specious allegations against the Board," said the board in their statement. "It would be unconscionable for the Board to walk away from their fiduciary responsibilities to JHSH and its surrounding community at this critical point in time.
Board Defends Corbishley, Palermo Responds
"With respect to the invalidation of Frank Corbishley to any leadership role or authority of JHSH, Mr. Corbishley offered his services on a voluntary basis during this interim period and he is not being paid, contrary to the rumors and character assassination he has been subjected to. Mr. Corbishley has a wealth of experience in the non-profit community spanning over 30 years and has served in high level positions in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. He is a man of commitment, honesty, and integrity and those who have interfaced with him know of his continued commitment to helping the poor, elderly, and families within the community," wrote the board.
In 2011, Corbishley was forced to resign from the Providence Community Action Program (ProCAP). In a letter hand delivered to Corbishley....Taveras said at the time the organization’s mismanagement had caused “millions of dollars of agency funding” to be put at risk, which could “endanger jobs, services and our poorest neighborhoods.
The JHSH board said it had no plans to rehire Palermo -- who responded to the allegations levied by the board.
"I have nothing to do with the concerned citizens group. I have said what I had to say with regards to this situation. I have moved on from this situation and do not plan on returning to John Hope even if she were removed – she has soiled that organization and it can never recover. The community it has always served is getting jerked around and has been for years, I think they’re fed up and want their center back but she has taken it beyond repair," said Palermo of Board Director WIlliams.
"I can’t be controlled and therefore I’m a threat. The community response is no longer afraid and so they’re a threat," continued Palermo. "I have dedicated my life to helping people so when I come across people with questionable intentions, I will let it be known and remove myself from the situation – that’s what I did at John Hope. Everything resulting from it has been a distraction away from the real issues…including this desperate letter."
A copy of Palermo's detailed responses to the allegations can be found HERE.
JHSH Seeking New Director
The board in their statement said it was actively seeking a new director.
"We welcome any and all who are interested in helping with the growth of JHSH and anyone who is interested in applying for the Executive Director Position may submit inquiries to: [email protected]."
Related Slideshow: Rhode Island’s History of Political Corruption
Related Articles
- Former Discredited Head of ProCAP Named Executive Director of John Hope Settlement
- Director Says John Hope Settlement House Can Survive the Year
- NEW: John Hope Settlement House Under Fire for Financial Struggles
- Allegations of Financial Misconduct by Rep. Williams at John Hope
- New: Group Calls for Rep. Williams Resignation from John Hope Settlement House Board
- INVESTIGATION: John Hope Settlement House Under Investigation by State Police
- DCYF Finds Safety Violations at John Hope Settlement House
- Pressure to Remove Williams, Corbishley from John Hope Increases
