Tennessee Comptrollers have released two investigations revealing what they describe as fraudulent actions by two Memphis-area nonprofits.
Red Robins Academy of Learning, Inc. (RRAL), and Giving Youth a Chance (GYAC) both participated in the Summer Food Service Program in 2018. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) administers this federal program and provides free meals to children during summer months when school is not in session.
This, according to a press release that Comptrollers released this week.
“RRAL and GYAC both sponsored multiple feeding sites in the Memphis area. The organizations are reimbursed for meals served based on meal count sheets submitted to DHS. Comptroller investigators and auditors, working in cooperation with the Memphis Police Department, used video surveillance to determine if the organizations were actually serving the number of meals and snacks they claimed in July 2018,” the press release said.
“Investigators and auditors determined that Red Robins Academy of Learning, Inc. wrongfully obtained at least $19,539.74 in federal funds. Investigators and auditors obtained the daily meal count forms submitted by RRAL and compared the numbers listed with video surveillance footage from three different feeding sites. At two of those sites, RRAL claimed thousands of meals and snacks were served when, in fact, RRAL did not feed a single child. The investigation also found that Giving Youth a Chance wrongfully obtained at least $17,601.72 in federal funds.”
Comptroller investigators and auditors said they once again discovered a pattern of falsified meal count sheets. Based on video surveillance evidence from four feeding sites, investigators determined GYAC requested reimbursement for thousands of meals and snacks that they never served to children, Comptrollers said in the press release.
The Comptroller’s Office has shared the results of these investigations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee and the Office of the District Attorney General of the 30th Judicial District, according to the press release.
“Our Office has repeatedly reported on weaknesses within the Summer Food Service Program,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson.
“It is imperative that the Tennessee Department of Human Services continue to ensure that all participants maintain complete and accurate documentation for meal reimbursement claims.”
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
