ProCAP Nearing End of Receivership
Monday, August 20, 2012
The taxpayer-funded nonprofit that came under fire late last year after an independent audit revealed rampant misspending within the organization is preparing to come out of receivership, GoLocalProv has learned.
A hearing is set for next Monday, August 27, where a timeline for helping the Providence Community Program (ProCAP) emerge from receivership is expected to be discussed.
"Providence has been struck hard by the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and children and families need ProCAP helping them with a hand up more than ever," Taveras wrote in the letter. "Unfortunately it appears that mismanagement has undermined ProCAP's mission; thereby hurting the least fortunate among us. The people of Providence deserve better. As such, I joined the Board Chairman in calling for your immediate resignation."
The 47-year-old organization, which was established under President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty” program, was designed to assist the city’s poorest residents with home heating costs as well as several other initiatives. But accountant Ken Richardson’s audit last year unveiled a “series of inconsistencies” with health benefits, educational subsidies, cell phone usage and vehicle usage within the organization.
According to a report filed by court-appointed receiver Thomas Hemmendinger, “mismanagement and poor performance” landed the organization in a position where it “lacked the funds to stay in operation.”
The report also detailed how both federal and state law enforcement agencies were investigating the organization. It is unclear whether those investigations are still taking place.
At the time, Hemmendinger suggested a series of layoffs and other organizational changes would keep ProCAP open. The board of directors, chaired by Council President Michael Solomon, also named Frank Shea its interim executive director.
A spokesperson for ProCAP did not return multiple requests for comment for this story.
Dan McGowan can be reached at dmcgowan@golocalprov.com. Follow him on Twitter: @danmcgowan.
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Comments:
Wuggly Ump
8:45am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The first line is redundant. Anything that is tax-payer funded is non-profit.
bill bentley
11:25pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
That's not true. Many for-profits receive tax payer funds, including doctors. Duh, Medicaid.
bill bentley
11:28pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
McGowan: Your still repeating half-truths. And no $, no spokesperson. Its all about money and power. Funds for poor residents were never at risk. You continue the lie. Good little lackey. Was that you with White and Nessi at the Gemma press conference? The 3 pillars of truth, justice, and the American way. Yeah for our side.