Multi-Agency

Use of Grant Funds Provided to ComLinks, Inc.

ComLinks, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation that provides various social and other services to residents of Franklin County. During the 4.5-year period covered by our audit, it received about $4.1 million in grant funds from seven State agencies. We examined whether grants funds were used to personally benefit the CEO of ComLinks, as was claimed in certain allegations, and found that nearly $100,000 in grant funding was misappropriated by the CEO and used for inappropriate or fraudulent expenses. We determined that these inappropriate transactions were able to be processed because the ComLinks Board of Directors failed in its oversight responsibilities and the Chief Financial Officer acquiesced to the CEO’s inappropriate management activities. We provided our findings to the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office for possible criminal prosecution.

For a complete copy of Report 2009-S-13 click here.
For a copy of the 90-day response click here.