Latest news with #DecaturHousingAuthority
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nebraska auditor: Financial wrongdoing in local governments seems ‘increasingly commonplace'
The Nebraska State Auditor's Office is located in the State Capitol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — After Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley issued a recent statement exposing alleged financial improprieties involving several local governments, he said his office faced a surge of callers requesting probes of their towns, too. It's a common response, Foley said, after news hits of a small-town investigation by the auditor. 'The phone starts ringing,' he said, repeating a common refrain: ''Hey look at us. Look what's happening in my village or county too.'' While grateful for the interest, Foley said such complaints are 'disconcerting' in that they could signal rising misuse of public resources in smaller public entities across Nebraska. He said the alerts also 'distract' from one of his office's other main tasks, bird-dogging the 'mega agencies' of state government. 'How much time can you spend on the Decatur Housing Authority when you've got DHHS sitting over there with 40% of the state budget?,' Foley said, referring to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley said he won't announce a decision on whether he will seek reelection in 2026 until late this year or early in the next. He told the Nebraska Examiner he's happy as auditor. 'I've got a great team, very dedicated, very talented people. Happy to be here,' said Foley, 71. Foley, a Republican, said he has enjoyed his auditor tenure — 'both times.' His most recent election in late 2022 had him sworn in Jan. 5, 2023. He also served as auditor from 2007 through 2015. In between, Foley served as Nebraska's lieutenant governor. Foley began the 2014 election cycle as a candidate for governor but was defeated in the primary by future running mate Pete Ricketts, who selected Foley as his lieutenant in September 2014. Ricketts is now a U.S. senator. Foley also previously served in the Legislature, serving a Lincoln-area district from 2000 to 2007. — Cindy Gonzalez In his most recent press release June 3, Foley grouped highlights of eight audit letters he sent local governments. His office's allegations ranged from a Decatur housing chief giving herself more than $18,000 in unsupported payments to a Nemaha County commissioner caught on camera using a county gas pump to fuel his personal truck. Not all caller alerts result in investigations, Foley said, particularly if the person complaining doesn't provide enough detail. When a probe of a local government entity is launched, he said, an auditor team typically spends weeks collecting and analyzing information. In many cases, he said, someone is fired or results are turned over to law enforcement. Foley said the Auditor's Office staff of nearly 50 is down from about 60 three decades ago — and has audit oversight of roughly 2,500 units of local government. Under their watch are state agencies, officers, boards, commissions, certain political subdivisions and federal funds under contract. While acknowledging state budget concerns and competing demands, he noted that the state spends about $200 to audit every $1 million in spending. 'That's not a very good ratio.' Standing out as troubling trends during auditor reviews, Foley said, are misuse of credit cards and government-owned vehicles. 'Credit cards are an enormous headache for auditors and for these agencies,' he said, adding that too many agencies allow too many credit cards to be in circulation and are too loose with controls. Agencies are starting to install GPS trackers on public vehicles, he said, which has led to improvements. Foley assembled those eight letters sent over six weeks to local governments as part of an effort to underscore his sense that there has been an 'uptick in improper financial practices in local governmental entities.' (He said the auditor's office, meanwhile, continues to do other work and conduct other reviews.) 'Unfortunately, these more recent eight examples of both accounting incompetence and apparent financial malfeasance at political subdivisions are not unusual,' said Foley. 'Based upon my office's ongoing work, especially over the past year or so, they seem increasingly commonplace — making heightened vigilance, by public servants and citizens alike, ever more crucial.' The examples cited: Decatur Housing Authority in Burt County: In addition to allegedly processing about $18,000 in excessive compensation and unsupported reimbursements to herself, the executive director reportedly mishandled cash rental payments resulting in roughly $8,000 in 'missing money.' She reportedly tried to delete hundreds of computer files. Furthermore, Foley noted that his office earlier this year had sent a separate audit letter to the woman's previous employer pointing to an alleged salary overpayment to herself of about $11,000. The auditor's report on the Decatur Housing Authority did not indicate an effort by the audit team to contact the housing director, who was reportedly terminated from her job in February. The report said it forwarded information to various law enforcement and government agencies. The housing authority board, in its response to the state, said it was implementing steps recommended by the auditing team. Cedar County: A former Cedar County commissioner allegedly used a county pickup truck for personal business — though the commissioner denied that a few photos included in the report represented him on unofficial business. The same commissioner, according to the auditor's report, allegedly allowed payment for county services with gift cards that were largely unaccounted for — something also denied by the commissioner. The auditor's report said the former commissioner didn't provide an explanation for a gift card that was produced during the review. The county also was accused of not following proper bidding procedures for nearly $1 million in contracts. Village of Pleasanton in Buffalo County: Public employees allegedly spent more than $20,000 on village business at Menard's over a two-year period, and one employee allegedly used about $2,000 in rebate coupons as well as several hundred dollars in store credit vouchers for personal purchases. Separate 'shoddy accounting' practices, according to the auditor, resulted in the village paying thousands of dollars of claims. Village of Farnam in Dawson County: The audit team, as part of its review, identified 22 months of utility and other services, or about $2,700, that the former Village Clerk did not bill to herself. At the time of the auditor's letter, she was on the Village Board. She was found guilty of official misconduct in May, paid $3,151 in restitution, and a sentencing is set for July. Nemaha County and Nemaha Rural Fire District 4: Auditors reported that a county commissioner was photographed March 24 using a fuel pump that can be accessed after hours by personnel with insider knowledge. Dundy County: A deputy county clerk who resigned from her position at the request of the Dundy County Board continued to work and was paid full-time wages despite a considerable drop in responsibilities. Custer County: Employees are able to clock in and out of work using mobile devices, and a county highway worker was alleged to be at home or at her kids' events when she was supposed to be at work. She resigned before she could be questioned, the auditor said. Village of Litchfield in Sherman County A Village Clerk, prior to resigning, allegedly paid herself at least $2,200 more than allowed and was paid $763 in 'suspicious' reimbursement. The village allegedly failed to withhold proper taxes from employee paychecks, opening the community to retroactive payments and penalties. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Remarkable Women: Taura Denmon
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — We here at News 19 are continuing to celebrate Women's History Month by highlighting the achievements of some remarkable women in the Tennessee Valley. This week we are highlighting a woman dedicated to helping people find housing. Remarkable Women: Tiffany Draper 'It has been a challenge,' Taura Denmon said. 'But it is a great challenge in the way that you feel at the end of the day, once you've helped somebody find a home.' A challenge that Denmon has not taken lightly since becoming the first black woman to lead the Decatur Housing Authority. 'I'm humbled. I'm honored,' Denmon said. 'And I'm glad that I have an opportunity to put my mark on the Decatur Housing Authority and the history here.' History that dates back several decades to when the Decatur Housing Authority was established in 1938. Remarkable Women: Stephanie Jennings Denmon oversees providing affordable, safe, sanitary housing for the most vulnerable residents In Morgan County. The Decatur Housing Authority has 600 public housing units along with hundreds of Section 8 vouchers. 'We try to make sure that we're following all the rules', Denmon said. ' And, you know, sometimes following the rules can be hard, right? So final rule sometimes means that we may have to evict somebody. Or following the rules sometimes may mean that we have to go to court or following the rules. Sometimes they mean a lot of things. And so, you kind of have to have a compassionate side, but then a business side to understand how everything comes together. ' And when it comes together change takes place and that is exactly what is happening at the Decatur Housing Authority. 'We got several, projects that are going on now,' Denmon said. 'We have one that's a $2.8 million project at the Westgate Gardens, apartment complex. It's a rehab, a total rehab on 46 units. We also have a $2.1 million window project going on at the Jordan Neal Apartments.' it's a tall task for Denmon who is determined to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls the Decatur Housing Authority home. 'We are serving the most vulnerable population,' said Denmon. 'We say we're serving the elderly. We're serving the disabled, we're serving the single mom. We're serving the families with low income. And so that's important thing for me. This has been a great opportunity for me and, I am excited about what's to come.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Decatur man accused of stealing furnace from public housing to provide heat for girlfriend
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A Decatur man is charged with burglary after police said he stole a furnace from public housing and hooked it up to his own home to provide heat to his girlfriend. She had just been evicted from that public housing, and the furnace came from her former home. In a sworn statement obtained by WCIA, Officer Jeffrey Hockaday said that Michael Webb, 37, had a home on Neely Avenue, but he also shared a second home with his girlfriend and another housemate. That home, located on North 31st Street, is owned by the Decatur Housing Authority and on Jan. 17, the DHA evicted the trio. Decatur teenager accused of pointing stolen, loaded gun at friend during argument Three days later, a maintenance man who entered their former home found the furnace and water heater missing, along with copper piping from the air conditioning unit and a utility closet. Hockaday said the duplex's property manager suspected Webb and his girlfriend. Continuing to investigate, Hockaday said he learned Webb recycled 13 pounds of copper piping with Mervis Recycling on Jan. 30 and 31. The Macon County Sheriff's Office arrested Webb and his girlfriend on Feb. 16 in connection to a different burglary. Hockaday said that when deputies served a search warrant for Webb's home on Neely Avenue that day, they found the furnace and water heater stolen from the DHA duplex. The third housemate who lived with Webb and his girlfriend was present when the warrant was served. Hockaday said he spoke with investigators and told them he was aware of the burglary on 31st Street. '(The housemate) advised they were going to move into Michael's residence…which did not have heat,' Hockaday said. '(The housemate) advised that Michael broke into (their former home) where he stole the water heater and furnace because he wanted (his girlfriend) to have heat.' Woman shot by 'masked male' in Decatur; police investigating By the time deputies served their search warrant, the furnace had been hooked up and was operational while the water heater was not. Hockaday said that another search warrant was served Feb. 21 and Webb voluntarily pointed officers to the location of both the furnace and the water heater. After being read his Miranda rights, Hockaday said Webb admitted to breaking into the 31st Street home after eviction and stealing the items. Macon County court records show Webb is charged with a single count of burglary, a Class 2 felony. He was released from custody with conditions and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
'Not fit to live in society' -- Decatur man held without bond after assault charge
Feb. 26—A Decatur man with a history of burglary and assault charges was denied bond at an Aniah's Law hearing Tuesday after allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home and assaulting her last week. Roderick Lafayette Reynolds, 47, is being charged with first degree domestic violence and trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids. A few minutes before his hearing began Tuesday, Reynolds became irate in the courtroom and a bailiff tried to calm him down while Reynolds' brother sat in the audience and encouraged Reynolds to "control" himself. District Judge Shelly Waters entered the courtroom and addressed Reynolds, who had his head in his hands, to wake up and go sit by his attorney, Russ Prickett. The state called their first witness to the stand, Detective Michael Kent of the Decatur Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Courtney Schellack asked Kent about the night of the alleged incident. "The victim stated she was trying to take her trash out at 5 p.m. that afternoon and the defendant showed up at her residence," Kent said. An affidavit signed by Kent said he arrived at the scene and observed that the glass of the back door of the victim's apartment was broken out. The victim told Kent that Reynolds had arrived at her residence unexpectedly on Thursday afternoon and made her go with him to Lowe's, according to the affidavit. She said Reynolds then brought her back home, and as she climbed out of his vehicle, she told him not to come back but he replied that he would return. "(The victim) reported Reynolds returned sometime later and made entry into her apartment through the back door," the affidavit said. "(The victim) claimed her and Reynolds 'fussed' and he physically assaulted her multiple times." Reynolds then forced the victim to unlock her cellphone for him, according to the affidavit. "(The victim) claimed that as she sat in an armchair within her living room, Reynolds produced a pistol and pressed it into her chest, telling her he was going to kill her," the affidavit said. "(The victim) claimed Reynolds also struck the top of her right hand with the pistol and pushed it against her face." Reynolds' ex-girlfriend resided on property owned by Decatur Housing Authority, according to the affidavit, and he was ordered to stay off all property owned by the Housing Authority on Aug. 14, 2024, for a period of two years. The affidavit said Kent noticed what he believed was a bruise on the victim's right hand and the victim claimed Reynolds intentionally pressed a lit cigarette against her left ring finger in retaliation for her not unlocking her cellphone. "(The victim) stated further altercation ensued and Reynolds eventually pushed her into her bedroom and onto her bed," the affidavit said. "(The victim) stated she made a remark towards Reynolds regarding her having relations with a known acquaintance of his, which angered him and resulted with him striking (the victim) with a glass 200ML Absolut Vodka bottle on the head." As Prickett began questioning Kent, Waters again chastised Reynolds for speaking out loud to the court. Prickett called Reynolds' older brother and sister to the stand next and his brother described Reynolds and his relationship to the victim as "toxic." "She's controlling and has to have control of the relationship," Reynolds' brother said. "She made the statement, 'If I can't have him, I'll have him locked up.'" He and Reynolds' sister said the victim gave their mother synthetic marijuana in November, causing her to be admitted to the hospital. "She said this wasn't about my mother or me, it was all about my brother," Reynolds' sister said. "I felt like she did that maliciously. She's put other men in jail because she can't have them." Waters asked Reynolds' sister if Reynolds was aware of his mother going to the hospital and she said no because he was incarcerated at the time. "Was it a burglary?" Schellack asked Reynolds' sister regarding why he was incarcerated. "I don't know," his sister replied as Reynolds became agitated and motioned for his sister to stop talking. Decatur police said they located Reynolds on Saturday at Studio 9 Motel. Police said Reynolds was located with Karen Myers, 41, at the motel and both were in possession of approximately 3.25 ounces of synthetic cannabinoids. Myers was booked into the Morgan County Jail and held in lieu of a $5,000 bond for trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, according to the Decatur Police Department. Myers also testified on Tuesday and said she has been dating Reynolds since November. She said the victim has sent her multiple text messages trying to deter her from pursuing a relationship with Reynolds. "She would say that I'm interfering in their relationship," Myers said. "Basically, she said if she couldn't have him, nobody could have him." After the witnesses testified, Schellack said Reynolds did not deserve a bond because of his 10 prior felony convictions. "Mr. Reynolds has quite an impressive criminal history here in Morgan County," Schellack said. "He was actually sentenced to a long term in prison for an assault case where he had shot someone and shot into an unoccupied vehicle during that crime. He was paroled, got out of prison and immediately committed a burglary and had his parole revoked. "He finished out his sentence and was released in, I believe, 2022, and was re-arrested by February 2023 for burglary, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools and he is out on bond for that as he sits here today." Schellack said Reynolds faces life in prison because this most recent charge is his second Class A felony. "Mr. Reynolds has demonstrated he is not fit to live in society," Schellack said. "Anytime he is out of custody, he commits new crimes." Waters said she will hold Reynolds without bond and he will remain incarcerated until his jury trial begins. — or 256-340-2442.
