Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 24, 1993 TAG: 9303240180
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
STATE PROBES USE OF FUNDS MEANT FOR TAP PROGRAMS
State police are investigating the use of funds that had been raised for students of employment and training programs run by Total Action Against Poverty.Cecil Handy, head of criminal investigations for state police in Salem, said Monday that an investigation into the use of TAP funds was being conducted but that no charges had been brought.
Ted Edlich, executive director of TAP, said Tuesday that the money in question was $1,350 raised for a yearbook and graduation.
The money did not come through TAP's regular financial system, Edlich said.
"I'm sorry I didn't insist that it be handled through our system," he said. TAP's $8 million to $9 million budget includes local, state and federal money as well as that from private sources, Edlich said.
Edlich asked one employee to resign on Friday after state police briefed him on the investigation.
The director of the employment and training program, Gloria Perkins, resigned Monday, citing personal reasons, Edlich said.
Edlich has named Susan Baer as acting director of the Employment Training Services program. The program's offerings include instruction for high school equivalency diplomas, computer skills and basic literacy.
In a 1991 news article, Perkins said the program targeted people who lack the skills, education or motivation to get good jobs.
"The education training program has been one of the brightest spots in the whole TAP framework," Edlich said. "You start out with good intent and end up with a mess on your hands."
The investigation into money matters is TAP's first in the agency's 27-year history, Edlich said.
"To have it over something like this is terrible," he said.