Criticism of the Tennessee Department of Human Services has grown.
Wednesday, the department found itself in the cross hairs after another scathing state audit found big problems with a food program in Montgomery County.
Now, some are asking whether TDHS is doing enough to monitor these food programs and some say no.
The state's audit says it appears the Cherry Tree Food Program in Clarksville misspent nearly $200,000 and much of that money directly benefitted the program's former executive director.
The state comptroller says he blames, in large part, TDHS for what's in the report while at least one state lawmaker said he's very disappointed by the findings.
"There's nothing that gets me more upset."
That was Senator Jim Tracy's reaction to the latest audit by the state Comptroller's Office. He said he was upset, but, frankly, not surprised by what state auditors found during their investigation of the Cherry Tree Food Program.
The Clarksville non-profit got nearly $3-million dollars a year in federal money to help feed low income children and adults in day care centers across Tennessee. Longtime director Patsy Simpson ran the program out of her home on Trenton Road. But as we first reported last summer, Simpson was fired after the Cherry Tree Board of Directors discovered thousands of dollars in missing money.
But the just-released Comptroller's Office audit revealed even more serious problems.
State investigators found Simpson spent nearly $40,000 on a gazebo for her house, a new water heater, tile floors, kitchen and bathroom sinks, and ceiling fans. There was nearly $50,000 in unauthorized payments to Simpson. Plus Christmas bonuses, airplane tickets, hotel rooms and more.
"It just makes you sick. Makes you sick that she was using money that was suposed to be going to, to be used for the children's food program to basically fix her house, for personal use. It's awful," Senator Tracy told NewsChannel 5 Investigates.
This is at least the third time in the last year state auditors have found a state food program has seriously misused taxpayers' money.
And Comptroller Justin Wilson specifically called TDHS out in his report on Cherry Tree, saying the department "dropped the ball in this case." And Senator Tracy doesn't disagree.
"I think they have some responsibility. No question about it," Tracy stated.
As TDHS faces growing criticism, we went to their offices to find out what the department is doing to address these problems. We were told the Commissioner would not be available to answer any questions.
The Shelbyville Republican though isn't waiting for TDHS. After questions first surfaced last year about DHS' oversight, Tracy introduced a bill that will require TDHS to do unannounced visits and regularly report to lawmakers about what it's doing to cut fraud and abuse.
"Hopefully this will get the food to the children that's supposed to get the food," the senator expressed.
TDHS sent NewsChannel 5 a statement this afternoon that said in part "We respectfully disagree with the conclusion that DHS is not providing proper oversight."
"The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) had identified many of the issues noted in the Comptroller's reports through our oversight and monitoring process and prior to the Comptroller's audit staff review. One of the entities actually self-reported some of the issues to the department. The expenditures by Cherry Tree were not approved by the TDHS as stated in the Comptroller's report. The TDHS had already taken steps towards correcting Cherry Tree and it closed in lieu of termination by the department. The TDHS had also started recouping funds from Cherry Tree prior to this report. It should be noted there was no evidence by the Comptroller's office that children were not fed by the agency in question. The TDHS takes oversight and monitoring seriously and will continue to work with our partners at the state, local, and federal level. We respectfully disagree with the conclusion that TDHS is not providing proper oversight. In fact TDHS has increased oversight across the department since 2011. It is our impression that most of the program sponsors we work with generally share in the desire to fulfill the mission of the program and work to do so effectively."- Stephanie Jarnagin or DHS spokesperson
Click here to read, Cherry Tree's statement regarding the audit.
Meanwhile, we're the Montgomery County District Attorney is now reviewing the case and considering possible charges against the former director.
