OEO WILL CONDUCT FULL REVIEW OF CRI OPERATIONS - Director Calls It "Witch Hunt,," Hired An Attorney

(11/23/2009)
State officials from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity will be auditing and reviewing the operations of the 11-county Community Resources, Inc., the main office located in Parkersburg.

The OEO review will be conducting the review during December, reportedly based on a number of complaints that have surfaced regarding the management of the agency by executive director Steve Ellis.

Edward Harper, director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, told the Herald, "We will be looking at the overall health and status of CRI."

Ellis has retained the services of an attorney, calling it a "witch hunt."

CRI's board met this week to conduct business and to review the problems, some of which are reportedly connected to personnel complaints.

State officials have been questioning the weatherization operation, indicating there could be problems over the management of that $3 million grant.

Sources close to the agency say that the investigation will include a review of CRI's application for additional funding, and that OEO officials will be looking at personnel issues.

Currently, CRI says it is in-line to receive more stimulus money for community projects, like Learn to Earn, Care for Clunkers, Labor Aid and Partnering to Provide.

CRI was the target of a major investigation by OEO in 2007, after which the executive director at the time resigned, after the review found 19 weaknesses.

CRI's board members have been trying to re-group the agency, so services can be delivered to West Virginia counties that have some of the neediest families, including older citizens.