Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald; Friday, November 1, 1991
Anne Bartlett, Herald Staff Writer
After examining about 100 pages of the center's financial records, the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services found that the nonprofit agency had been able to account for only about $17,000 of $146,000 originally in question, said Dr. Van Stitt, HRS deputy district administrator for health.
Stitt said he doesn't think Center One used the money for the personal benefit of its employees or directors.
"They may have ended up using the funds, if indeed they did misuse them, in taking care of some other financial responsibilities," Stitt said. "I haven't seen anything that indicates otherwise."
HRS hasn't decided yet whether to require Center One to pay back the money. Center One directors met with HRS district administrator Floyd Johnson late Thursday to discuss options.
The center's troubles started last month, when a preliminary HRS audit said the agency couldn't account for $146,000 in grant money that it was supposed to spend on housing for AIDS patients from 1988 to 1990.
Amid the controversy over the audit's disclosure, the center's executive director resigned, saying he suspected the agency spent the money on office expenses.
Center One tried to resolve the problem by turning over its financial records to HRS. It also negotiated an agreement with the Hospice Foundation, a nonprofit group that agreed to give $35,000 to the center in return for a revamped board of directors.
The center's newly expanded board includes local business and political leaders expected to help the agency raise money and regain credibility.
It announced two more new members Thursday: Dr. Joe Dorsey, a physician who treats HIV-positive drug users; and George Young, vice president of student affairs at Broward Community College.
Center One board spokesman Ken Wolf said the agency continues to cooperate with HRS.
One suggestion is that Center One raise the nearly $129,000 now in question, and spend it on rent payments for AIDS clients, he said.
"Judging from the calls we're getting, and the response from the community, we have some strong momentum here," Wolf said. "We could take on some greater fund-raising goals. We have two fund-raising initiatives that we're close to announcing."
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