Gov. Mark Sanford called on the State Law Enforcement Division on Tuesday to probe the finances of a low-income energy assistance program managed by the Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp. after a document review showed discrepancies in mileage forms.
"The governor's Office of Economic Opportunity visited the agency Jan. 14, 15 and 16, and what they found are major incidents of fraud regarding mileage by some employees," governor's spokesman Chris Drummond said.
He declined to say how many employees were involved or to name them because SLED has been called in, but he said the amount of money is less than $5,000.
"Those employees have been placed on probation, restitution has been completed or is under way, and staffing changes have been made to improve the quality of the energy and weatherization programs," Drummond said.
About $135,000 in federal funds have flowed through the governor's office to the Moncks Corner-based low-income energy assistance program since Oct. 1. Only records related to the energy program were reviewed.
The review has nothing to do with the agency's federally funded Head Start program, which is the subject of an FBI investigation.
Federal investigators said recent audits of the Head Start program show the agency misspent more than $10.5 million during the past five years. A federal grand jury has been looking into the allegations, which the agency denies.
The Rev. Thomas Myers, who heads the Berkeley-Dorchester Counties EDC, declined to discuss specifics of the governor's probe.
"The governor can do whatever he wants to do," Myers said. "I will never tolerate any fraud, cheating, stealing or padding. If we discover any discrepancy, it is our position to make sure it is corrected."
The employees involved are staff level, Drummond said.
The governor's office will continue reviewing the agency's documents and provide any additional information to SLED, Drummond said.
"When there is a belief that fraud has been committed, we let SLED do the preliminary review and their findings will determine how the case will proceed," Drummond said.
The visit by four members of the governor's office in January marked the second time in as many months that they made a surprise visit to the agency.
An initial review in December of the $135,000 in heating and cooling assistance handled by the agency showed no financial discrepancies, but the governor's team decided to review the records further, which led to Tuesday's call for SLED to get involved.
Warren Wise can be reached at
745-5850 or wwise@postand courier.comstealing or padding. If we discover any discrepancy, it is our position to make sure it is corrected."
The employees involved are staff level, Drummond said.
The governor's office will continue reviewing the agency's documents and provide any additional information to SLED, Drummond said.
"When there is a belief that fraud has been committed, we let SLED do the preliminary review and their findings will determine how the case will proceed," Drummond said.
The visit by four members of the governor's office in January marked the second time in as many months that they made a surprise visit to the agency.
An initial review in December of the $135,000 in heating and cooling assistance handled by the agency showed no financial discrepancies, but the governor's team decided to review the records further, which led to Tuesday's call for SLED to get involved.
