LACKAWANNA, NY – The Executive Director of there Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority (LMHA) says tighter financial controls are being implemented, following a controversy which erupted over the spending practices of one of its commissioners.
Last week, during a meeting of the Lackawanna City Council, questions were raised regarding John Ingram - a member of the LMHA’s board of commissioners who also serves as the Tenant Council President at the Glover Gardens apartment complex.
As such, Ingram has access to LMHA funds for community events and improvements to the community center at the complex.
The questions which surfaced had to do with money Ingram spent for functions at Glover Gardens, and whether purchases he made conformed to rules set forth by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which has oversight of public housing projects.
In in a statement issued on Wednesday, LMHA Executive Director Mark Kuwik wrote:
“The Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority was in the process of auditing the Glover Gardens Tenant Council's tenant participation funds when concerns arose as to whether or not all funds were used on "allowable expenses" as outlined by the HUD guidelines. When the Executive Director was made aware of possible improper spending, he immediately notified all members of the Board of Commissioners, the LMHA' s attorneys, and the Buffalo HUD Field Office.
Although the audit process is still ongoing, most of the money that was deemed to be spent on "unallowable expenses" has been reimbursed to the Authority by the Glover Gardens Tenant Council. Many of these expenses were spent on activities involving the community, such as the Annual Community Fun Day event, which are still not deemed "allowable expenses".
After consultation with the Buffalo HUD Field Office, the Executive Director will make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners that the Housing Authority will have more oversight and tighter controls over the use of these funds going forward.
2 On Your Side also contacted the HUD Regional office for New York and New Jersey, where its Public Affairs Specialist, Charles McNally responded, ““Mr. Kuwik did bring this situation to HUD’s attention, originally back in May and then more recently last week. The LMHA took prompt action to address the situation, and HUD has no cause to intervene further unless new information comes to light.”
