News Summary
The Jacksonville Housing Authority has agreed to enhance its internal controls following an investigation into hiring practices and misuse of titles. The investigation revealed procedural flaws in hiring an accountant and raised concerns about employee retaliation. With ongoing scandals and leadership turnover, JHA is committed to reforming its operational practices to rebuild community trust and support residents efficiently.
Jacksonville, FL – The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) has agreed to enhance its internal controls following a thorough investigation conducted by the city’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). The investigation stemmed from complaints regarding the agency’s hiring practices and misuse of titles among key leaders.
The OIG’s investigation centered around allegations against JHA officials Mamie Davis and Roslyn Mixon Phillips, suggesting they exploited their positions to appoint an unqualified accountant and manipulated job titles to gain unauthorized access to federal systems. The findings, as reported by the OIG, pointed out several procedural shortcomings but did not conclusively identify criminal acts or deliberate attempts to conceal misconduct.
Specifically, the OIG found that JHA failed to adhere to its policy when hiring for the Accountant III role. This violation included not conducting necessary job postings, screenings, or maintaining proper documentation for the hiring process. In light of these findings, the housing authority has committed to implementing a streamlined hiring protocol and offering training to ensure compliance moving forward.
However, the investigation has raised further concerns regarding alleged retaliation within the agency. Reports have emerged indicating that three employees, including Compensation and Benefits Administrator Crystal Blackmer and two other HR personnel who testified during the OIG investigation, were dismissed shortly after providing their accounts. This pattern has sparked worry about the potential for a hostile work environment at JHA.
In addition to these issues, the agency has faced other considerable challenges. Notably, Nan McKay & Associates, the firm managing JHA’s Housing Choice Voucher program, has incurred significant fines totaling millions in federal settlements related to cybersecurity compliance failures. These ongoing scandals reflect a broader context of systemic issues within the agency.
Furthermore, JHA has recently had to grapple with the complete termination of its Housing Choice Voucher program and has opted to outsource its management, indicating deeper operational troubles. Earlier this year, a former finance executive at JHA, Gregory Samuel Williams, was arrested and charged with fraud after authorities uncovered his misappropriation of prepaid cards meant for low-income residents. Investigators revealed that Williams had diverted approximately $9,500 intended to assist displaced housing authority residents, adding to the agency’s troubling history of misconduct.
The persistent turnover in leadership at JHA has been a major concern. The agency has seen a series of board resignations and has been subject to various criminal investigations looking into financial malfeasance. These ongoing difficulties highlight the critical need for improved oversight and accountability within JHA, as it continues to serve thousands of residents in the Jacksonville public housing community.
As the Jacksonville Housing Authority commits to rectifying its internal controls and addressing the procedural lapses, the ongoing investigations and past incidents reveal a pressing need for reform in their operational practices. The agency’s efforts to assure compliance and foster a transparent work environment will be crucial for rebuilding community trust and ensuring that it can effectively support its residents.
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Additional Resources
- News4Jax: JHA Policy Changes
- Google Search: Jacksonville Housing Authority
- Wokv: Retaliatory Firings Investigation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing Authority
- Action News Jax: Federal Fines on JHA’s Firm
- Google News: Jacksonville Housing Authority Investigation
- Jacksonville.com: Executive Arrested
- Action News Jax: Public Records Request
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
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