In October 2006 a large area faith-based organization gave a sizeable--larger than $5000--donation to ARCW, the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin.  This donation was earmarked by the donor org to pay for a Thanksgiving dinner for all the clients using the ARCW Food Pantry.

Instead, wduane.com has learned that the money was deposited by ARCW administrators in the ARCW general account, and the donor org was not notified of the change.  The general account pays for administrators' salaries and other expenses.  This may constitute a fraud against the donor org.

Volunteers at the Food Pantry who had knowledge of these events complained to top Department of Health and Family Services about this and other issues involving ARCW.  The details of the misdirection of the earmarked donation, including the name of the donor org, was given to three DHFS officials at a meeting with the volunteers in Milwaukee on November 3rd, 2006.  Officials attending the meeting included Dr James Vergeront, the head of the state AIDS/HIV Program, and officials in charge of Ryan White funds and case management standards for the state. 

The volunteers told officials that the misdirection of earmarked funds had happened within ARCW previously.  Officials were also told that Randy Bass, the director of the Food Pantry, tried to get the recently donated money back by repeatedly informing ARCW administrators, including ARCW Executive Dir. Doug Nelson, of the earmarked purpose (the Thanksgiving dinner).  His requests were denied.

DHFS investigated the facts and refused to take action.  This investigation was done with the knowledge of DHFS Secretary Susan Reinardy, an appointed member of Gov. Jim Doyle's cabinet.

For the full story of the possible fraud at ARCW, and of the investigation and cover up by state officials, go to www.wduane.com.

Wduane