Johnson County Nonprofits Investigated, One Leader Indicted for Theft
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released two investigative reports that detail improper actions within two Johnson County nonprofit organizations – A.C.T.I.O.N. Coalition and Johnson County Safe Haven – which both receive government grants.
The former executive director of A.C.T.I.O.N., Angela Wills Dickens, has been indicted for theft over $2,500 after investigators found that she misappropriated A.C.T.I.O.N. funds totaling at least $3,674.
A.C.T.I.O.N. was created to collaborate with community organizations to provide educational resources that help reduce tobacco, drug, and alcohol use among Johnson County youth.
Dickens allowed the nonprofit to pay for a family member’s cell phone plan and cell phone equipment totaling at least $3,462. She also used the nonprofit’s funds to purchase food from a local grocery store for her personal use totaling at least $212.
Investigators also found that Dickens used A.C.T.I.O.N. credit cards to make personal purchases; however, investigators were able to determine that Dickens reimbursed the nonprofit for the personal purchases she made.
Additionally, investigators are questioning purchases totaling $17,200 made with A.C.T.I.O.N funds. In some instances, purchases for food, travel, and supplies were not supported with itemized receipts or detail. Therefore, investigators could not determine if the purchases were exclusively for A.C.T.I.O.N. purposes.
Johnson County Safe Haven, a nonprofit that supports victims of domestic violence, acted as the fiscal agent for A.C.T.I.O.N.
In a separate investigation, Comptroller investigators found that Safe Haven’s executive director improperly used the nonprofit’s credit card to make personal purchases, and he included family members and a family friend on the Safe Haven cell phone account. Although the entity’s credit card and phone account should not be used for non-business purposes, investigators were able to confirm the executive director and his family friend paid the amounts owed to the organization.
“Our investigators have recommended a number of changes to strengthen financial accountability and oversight within these nonprofits,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “I encourage the organizations’ boards of directors to review these recommendations and implement the appropriate corrections.”
To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud. Follow us on twitter: @TNCOT
Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov
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