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Public concerns over LHPP and HHS grant spur promise of forensic audit
Summary
Public speakers and commissioners pressed for investigation into distribution of multiple city grants; city staff said a request for letters of interest for a forensic audit will be issued and the audit process could take months.
Public comments and a heated exchange among commissioners on June 9 focused on allegations and questions about distribution and oversight of grant funds involving the Lauderhill Health and Prosperity Partnership (LHPP) and a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant.
Several residents in public comment asked whether former comments by a commissioner that LHPP or other groups received city grant funds had been verified. Willie May Cooper asked Commissioner Richard Campbell to cite his sources, saying she had been approached by residents seeking verification and that unverified statements could be slanderous. Varian Harris asked the commission to avoid public statements about LHPP until a completed audit existed.
City staff told the commission they are preparing a request for letters of interest (ROI) for a forensic audit. The city manager said the ROI has been approved to go to the public and that the selection process could take up to four months. Staff said the scope includes the HHS grant of about $3.8 million plus three additional grants related to LHPP; staff emphasized they were reviewing financial reports submitted to federal authorities and awaiting federal review regarding a deadline and possible refund request. The city manager said staff will review not only LHPP but also "the $3,800,000 that was received" and related grants.
Commissioner Campbell said he had raised concerns in public meetings after seeing checks and documentation that he said suggested improper payments; he said he would continue to press for investigation and that anyone who acted illegally should be held accountable. Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn insisted the HHS grant is distinct from LHPP and quoted earlier minutes and staff remarks that said the HHS grant had been managed by the city's grant administration/finance functions, not LHPP. Dunn said she supported auditing the HHS grant and, earlier in the meeting, said she had proposed auditing all city grants (an amendment that failed). Mayor Denise D. Grant said the resolution language had been corrected to reflect that the concern centered on the HHS grant and that audits would proceed.
Staff summarized next steps: preparing and publishing the ROI/RFP for a forensic audit, staffing the selection process, and engaging outside auditors; the manager estimated up to four months for selection and initial audit work. The commission did not vote on a final contract at the June 9 meeting but directed staff to proceed with the procurement steps for a forensic audit.
Action: Staff to issue ROI/RFP for a forensic audit that will include the HHS grant and related grants; initial selection and auditing process estimated to take up to four months. The commission discussed but did not adopt separate, additional audit directives at this meeting.
