Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Washington Blade - November 21, 2008
Amy Cavanaugh
According to a Baltimore Sun report, most of HERO's federal grants come from city and state health departments and Baltimore Homeless Services, and these agencies decided to move the funds to other organizations.
HERO experienced financial difficulties in 2004, when staff members alleged that Leonardo Ortega, who was then the organization's executive director, had used money to fund a personal trainer and bonuses to himself. Ortega was never charged with a crime, and he left HERO in 2007.
In April, the Blade reported that HERO was under the leadership of Susan Ahlstrom, who joined the organization in 2005 as an attorney. Lenora Davis took over as executive director in May.
The Sun reported that Davis left HERO on Oct. 15, and that the acting director is Michelle Owens-Goode. Owens-Goode did not return the Blade's calls seeking comment.
HERO, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in April, offers legal services, financial assistance, drug abuse counseling, case management and housing services.
In April, Ahlstrom told the Blade that one-third of HERO's approximately 3,000 clients identify as gay, 40 percent are women and 88 percent are black.
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