California to repay $2.5 million in federal grants misspent by local groups

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | September 19, 2002

[John Jorsett]

The state Department of Education agreed Thursday to repay the federal government at least $2.5 million in grants that were supposed to be used to teach aspiring citizens to speak English, but were allegedly misspent by community organizations.

The U.S. Justice Department said the money was wasted because the state failed to keep track of it properly. The state said it was an innocent victim of fraud but has improved its oversight of the funding.

[John Jorsett]

The state said it was an innocent victim of fraud but has improved its oversight of the funding.

"We didn't do it. But we'll stop."

[John Jorsett]

ping

[Hugin]

"The real victims are the students who did not receive the training," Hirst said.

No, the real victims were California taxpayers who have to pay the bill. It's not the government's money!

[Frohickey]

How about we put a lien and garnish the future wages of the people running these local groups?

[gubamyster]

State Superintendent Delaine Eastin said at the time that her department had known of the problem since 1998 and was making changes.

Maybe Eastin should worry more about taxpayers being subjected to fraud, and less about cracking down on homeschoolers.

[concentric circles]

The state could recoup the $2.5 million in its suits against four other community groups in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Why do I suspect that there is an Hermandad Mexicana Nacional story here? You know, the group that helped noncitizens register to vote, the group that is trying to impede the efforts of Spanish speaking parents who want their children to master English through immersion instead of through inneffective bilingual education.

Oh yes, here's the story... "The state Department of Education filed a civil suit Tuesday against Los Angeles-based Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, alleging that it failed to account for $7 million in federal grant funds intended for citizenship and English classes for immigrants.

"The agency also seeks $10 million in punitive damages against Hermandad, one of the oldest Latino immigrant rights groups in the nation, for failing to properly account for grants it received between 1994 and 1998, when the state halted funding.

"After three years of going around and around with Hermandad, it became obvious that the only way we are going to get what we need from Hermandad is through legal action," education department spokesman Doug Stone said...

"Defendants repeatedly claimed to have provided thousands upon thousands of hours of instruction that they did not, in fact, provide," the lawsuit alleges...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Good connection!

Now where did I put that story about the founder of the organization facing a recall in santa Ana?

calgov2002:

California Laws for Sale

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

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[eureka!]

Re#6 Bingo.

[NormsRevenge]

DUMP DAVI$ & the Den of Socialists



GO SIMON

[CyberAnt]

Yeah ... Ms. Eastin - this is the idiot who is making all the waves about homeschooling. She needs to be removed from office. I don't know how to do that, but if somebody can tell me, I'll consider it as a chapter project!!