From the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (December 2007):
William Dearman, the former Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) executive director, entered into a pretrial diversion agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Alexandria, VA, and admitted to violating HUD regulations and the Virginia Public Procurement Act. Dearman circumvented procurement regulations and awarded more than $190,000 in roofing contracts without competition and then falsely certified ARHA annual contributions contracts. The pretrial diversion agreement defers Dearman's prosecution for 24 months; prohibits him from seeking or obtaining employment with any HUD-funded, -sponsored, or -administered employer for 3 years; requires him to perform 50 hours of community service; and orders him to pay the cost of prosecution.
Click here to read the story on HUD's Web site.
37 comments:
Wow. Their tenants terrorize us and they steal tax money. It is time to abolish ARHA.
Googling Mr. Dearman's name yielded this 2005 Post article about allegations of giving Section 8 vouchers to friends. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/21/AR2005072102065.html
Any idea what ever came of that?
ARHA was absolved of the charges. See this Gazette article:
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=52781&paper=59&cat=104
ARHA as a whole needs to be investigated. Certainly its performance suggests there must be something going on beyond mere stupidity.
And isn't Bill Euille into construction? - no connection to developers there, either, right?
ARHA as a whole needs to be investigated. Certainly its performance suggests there must be something going on beyond mere stupidity.
And isn't Bill Euille into construction? - no connection to developers there, either, right?
And the city thinks they or ARHA can manage larger mixed income projects better? Why is anyone surprised? Business is not business in this town unless somebody close the political center personally benefits.
Good Grief !!!
Euille and the Monarch...and now ARHA.
Reminds me of a story...
A man goes to see his doctor.
The doctor says, You're 150 pounds overweight, so you're fat and I order you to diet.
The man says, But doctor, you're crazy, I've always been this heavy.
I want a SECOND Opinion.
So the doctor says,
OKAY,
you're fat AND ugly.
Sounds like the Mayor and the Monarch, and now ARHA have the same problem. They're all driven by disastrous stupidity.
But this is a surprise???
Why, oh why, have our citizen review boards (like the planning commission and the ARHA board) sold out to idiots and morons, with questionable ethics???
Hasn't the planning commission's unanimous vote in FAVOR of the Braddock Plan tell you we're being run by a cabal of stooges???
And this is acceptable??
Would the blogger who posted the advice to give the Braddock Plan a chance, offer a practical alternative?
(" There are not a ton more "eyes on the street" yet because the Monarch building is not even half full. This change is not going to happen overnight - give it a little time. The Plan was just passed and hasn't even begun implementation.")
We're now in a real mess...
And the mayor acts like he's accountable to no one.
The reason thugs succeed with their perversions, is because the majority of upstanding citizens don't work hard enough to demand what's right and fair for the community....
I'm very sad, because I love this community and my neighborhood, and see the city making a mess of things, and also because we're trying to appeal to "leaders" who won't listen, or are deaf because our pleas interfere with their own private agendas.
Did anyone else notice these upcoming docket items?
15. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt the New Braddock Road Metro Small Area Plan Chapter of the
City of Alexandria Master Plan.
16. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt the New Transportation Chapter of the City of Alexandria Master
Plan.
17. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Establish a Transportation Advisory Committee.
18. Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance to Establish a New CDD No. 15 (Braddock
Gateway.)
Could it be that, perhaps, we weren't given the whole story when Dearman's resignation was announced last April? See http://www.alextimes.com/article.asp?article=5971&paper=1&cat=155
This quote caught my eye:
“During his 10 years, Bill Dearman has brought dignity and respectability back to ARHA in a time of dwindling federal funds for public housing. I wish him luck as he embarks on this new part of his life,” said Mayor William Euille.
Growler, actually that is not entirely accurate. ARHA was absolved on the Section 8 charges only in the sense that they were found to have entered information into their systems incorrectly (basic incompetence)
The actual investigation is ongoing. See article here:
http://www.potomacalmanac.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=58574&paper=59&cat=104
And note the response from HUD to ARHA's assertion that the matter was "closed"
However, he had reportedly told Dearman during the exit interview that the Section 8 Program investigation was only one element of an ongoing multipronged investigation of ARHA programs and administration.
My guess is that this is one aspect of an ongoing investigation. the larger question is: Why is the City loaning money to an organization that is under investigation and seems to have serious financial and management control issues?
"has brought dignity and respectability back to ARHA "
Only in Melvin Millers mind does ARHA have respect.
The vitriol here and in public is mind blowing. I cant find a single person inside Parker Gray that I have met that has any respect for ARHA as an organization., or much respect for its commissioners, who seem to be hapless in the face of constant deception and information-spinning.
"ARHA as a whole needs to be investigated. Certainly its performance suggests there must be something going on beyond mere stupidity."
they already are being investigated by HUD. If you are proposing that the City invesigate them,, that seems to have been the purpose of the new City-ARHA "partnership" MOU, which is supposed to lead to increased cooperation between ARHA and the City regarding the sharing of information.
Has anyone seen any evidence of this increased cooperation? My understanding was that as part of Braddock East, ARHA would be asked to provide various measures regarding their residents, such as employment, length of time in the projects, criminal records, etc...
According to this article
http://www.potomacalmanac.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=58574&paper=59&cat=104
it looks like in 2006, ARHA and the Feds at least had an idea that something was up:
"Although neither the federal agencies or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District would comment on the renewed investigation, it was confirmed by ARHA Chairman A. Melvin Miller that this time it was focused on “contracts or a contract let in 2001 and 2002.” However, he would not specify what contracts dealing with what projects.
“This is a continuation of the original investigation. It sounds like the same thing we heard before. It is my understanding, it pertains to a single contract for some work that has been done, as far as I know,” Miller said.
“Some of our employees have been talking to the IG and we are going to see what we can do to stop this. We are trying to get things done and this keeps interrupting us,” Miller said.
Miller added that when he heard the HUD investigators were at ARHA headquarters, he went to the office to speak to them. “This is stemming from some of our disgruntled folks that have been feeding them [HUD] this information,” he said. The HUD investigators “are going to find out we haven’t done anything wrong, just like before,” Miller added. The “before” referred to a HUD/IG investigation in 2005 which centered on ARHA’s administration and implementation of the Section 8 Public Housing Program."
I love the attitude of Miller, though. Apparently ARHA employees tip off HUD to illegal activities going on out of that office and he is mad about that because it prevents ARHA from "getting things done". I wonder what other information ARHA employees have.
Yeah, we wouldnt want to halt ARHA's fine work so they could defraud the taxpayer.
"The larger question is: Why is the City loaning money to an organization that is under investigation and seems to have serious financial and management control issues?"
This is a VERY good question. I was definitely not in favor of that loan. However, I think the answer to your question is that the City is so committed to providing housing to low income residents, that it loaned ARHA $5.6, even though it knew that ARHA was mismanaged and incompetent.
However, in exchange for this loan, the City FINALLY obtained an agreement with ARHA giving them a measure of control - including allowing the access to ARHA's financial info, etc. This info was previously withheld by ARHA. I've heard City staff (off the record, of course) describe the ARHA folks as both incompetent and arrogant. I believe this MOU is a great step in the right direction to giving the City the ability to hold ARHA's feet to the fire.
However, given the City's demonstrated incompetency at enforcing the many rules it imposes, I suggest that we demand that the City establish an ARHA oversight committee consisting primarily of citizens who are motivated to keep things under control. And, by that, I obviously mean those of us unfortunate enough to live near one of ARHA's mismanaged, run down, and out of control properties.
Many of us are more than qualified - we have neighbors who accountants, lawyers, and real estate agents/developers. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourselves...
"Only in Melvin Millers mind does ARHA have respect."
Yeah and Miller was a long time HUD employee. How stupid is this man who speaks of the ARHA neighborhood community. He is blind because he refuses to see.
"My understanding was that as part of Braddock East, ARHA would be asked to provide various measures regarding their residents, such as employment, length of time in the projects, criminal records, etc..."
Absolutely such information should be made available.
"My understanding was that as part of Braddock East, ARHA would be asked to provide various measures regarding their residents, such as employment, length of time in the projects, criminal records, etc..."
Absolutely such information should be made available."
Not to point out the obvious, but there is probably a reason ARHA has not provided information like this before.
The stats would probably not look so hot...
"My understanding was that as part of Braddock East, ARHA would be asked to provide various measures regarding their residents, such as employment, length of time in the projects, criminal records, etc..."
HUD regulations are pretty specific about measures to be taken when a public housing resident is convicted of drug or sex offenses, etc. Now whether or not ARHA bothers to enforce such regs is another question altogether.....
Well, now we know the truth about why William Dearman left ARHA. He owes the City 50 hours of public service, how about doing a little landscaping in the Berg along Royal St? He could pick up trash, plant flowers and shrubs and resod some of the grassy area. 50 hours is plenty of time for that!
It disappoints me to think that the City finds this out about ARHA yet fights to keep them afloat "in hopes of maintaining historic communities in Alexandria" Have any of you all noticed that alot of the "Historic Residents" are in fact young, single mothers with 1 - 9 children who have recently moved to Alexandria City (and the public housing) from MARYLAND? A single mom with nine kids costs our school system $180,000 a year, money that comes from homeowner's taxes, whether you have children or not. Think about that this afternoon whilst you decide to vote for Hillary, Obama or John McCaine...
My understanding was that as part of Braddock East, ARHA would be asked to provide various measures regarding their residents, such as employment, length of time in the projects, criminal records, etc..."
Not necessarily - you need to check out what information was required on the Burg residents before they were allowed to move into a new Chatham Square unit.
And - another question - how can Alexandria residents provide input into the HUD investigation? We've seen enough just living nearby to help fry ARHA and City as well.
http://www.potomacalmanac.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=47839&paper=59&cat=104
Info on the Burg transformation and ARHA's selection process is in this article.
"Not necessarily - you need to check out what information was required on the Burg residents before they were allowed to move into a new Chatham Square unit. "
It obviously didnt help much in Darrell Watson's case. Its amazing how quickly the fact that he lived in Chatham Square quickly got swept under the rug....
"And - another question - how can Alexandria residents provide input into the HUD investigation? We've seen enough just living nearby to help fry ARHA and City as well."
You can try this:
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm
Thats the hotline the ARHA employees must have been calling to report Dearman
OR this:
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/badlandlord.cfm
Thats used for Section 8 landlords...but I am sure they would at least listen to your concern...
Unfortunately, you cant sue ARHA. Only the city could have the recourse to do that....
SURPRISED ! ABOUT BILL DEARMAN? NOT IN THE LEAST!...........
It's about time he got caught. Things have been going on for quite a while. as a man seweth, that shall he also reap! He is reaping half the harvest he has sewn, for i feel this is just the beginning. There is still a lot to be uncovered ...... JUST KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN AND YOU SHALL SEE FOR YOUR SELF HOW BIG A CROOK HE REALLY IS.
http://www.potomacalmanac.com/article.asp?archive=true&article=47839&paper=59
"Reentry selection policy was originally divided into three groups known as "tiers."
* Tier one: Those who would receive first preference, was compromised of only former residents of Samuel Madden Homes Downtown living on site at the time of redevelopment and were displaced by that action. This group was never subject to income minimums, employment criteria or credit checks since they were guaranteed reentry if they chose to exercise their option.
* Tier two: Current public housing residents in good standing with annual incomes ranging between 40 and 60 percent of AMI for this area. Being in good standing would apply to their rental history, one-year minimum work history for either the head of household or spouse, and a credit check.
* Tier three: Public housing applicants on the waiting list with incomes of 40 percent to 60 percent of AMI. Employment, rental history, credit, and criminal background checks would be conducted for all in this tier."
It appears that ARHA employees at least knew that this was happening, and that there are significant rifts within that organization.
Tell me again why the City chose to loan them 7.5 million dollars of our taxpayer money, with no firm repayment terms....this is an organization with serious management control problems that seems to believe it can get away with anything.
"Sounds like the Mayor and the Monarch, and now ARHA have the same problem. They're all driven by disastrous stupidity."
No - the HUD investigation verifies that ARHA was also intentionally driven by shady deals and people looking the other way.
In Alexandria, we have seen time and again that "Business is not business in this town unless somebody close the political center personally benefits."
Does anyone else wonder how pervasive the corruption might be throughout the City government? We see nothing returning to Parker Gray for our tax money but consultants.
The history of Glebe Park is worth keeping in mind. The place was rendered virtually uninhabitable by mold, due to floods of Four Mile Run. HUD guaranteed the loan to buy the place (which wasn't originally public housing) despite the fact that HUD normally doesn't gaurantee loans for buildings in a flood plain. Who looked the other way on that bright decision?
"In Alexandria, we have seen time and again that "Business is not business in this town unless somebody close the political center personally benefits."
Does anyone else wonder how pervasive the corruption might be throughout the City government?"
Hamer spent 18 years working in PG County, a county known for its corrupt politics. Odds are she fits in well here no doubt complimented by the boys for a neighborhood job well done. I seriously doubt the Braddock East process is any more participatory than the Braddock Planning process was.
I for one do not think the personal attacks on Ms. Hamer are remotely fair. She doesn't drive the train, the Mayor and City Council do.
We're the fools who bought into the process designed to keep the City Council off the hot seat. And now with the Braddock East sillyness, the Mayor continues to implement his brand of public policy through the Planning and Zoning Office.
Don't shoot the messenger.
"Don't shoot the messenger."
Who hired the Braddock consultants? Complicated the process with consultants' nonsense? I agree staff takes its instruction from Council but at some point staff must also be held accountable.
"And now with the Braddock East sillyness, the Mayor continues to implement his brand of public policy through the Planning and Zoning Office."
Growler
What is your impression of the Braddock East process so far?
"Don't shoot the messenger."
Bang!
"'Don't shoot the messenger.'
Bang!"
[APPLAUSE]
WW II settled the issue long ago, that just "following orders" lets you off the accountability hook? I don't think so....
Hamer is guilty of shell-game mastery if there ever was one, and the "fools" (I prefer the word "victims") of this area bought it hook, line and sinker.
Don't say you couldn't see this one coming because there were warning signs plenty over and over again.
Please add my applause to the impending demise of Faroll Hamer, because she's a true lieutenant of Euille. I'm not in a forgiving mood, because we continue to be manipulated by the council. I resent wasting so much of my time on the Braddock Road plan, only to have it turn out as a dream come true for Euille & Co.
This Plan, under the guise of "community input," is total baloney, because it doesn't address the monumental mess at Adkins. And I resent my taxes paying for it...
Like the battle at Antietam, Mr. Mayor, a lot of us will never forget....and it will not be "overlooked."
As the saying goes in politics, it is NOT a good thing to create enemies, let alone adversaries.
Well done Growler! You scooped the Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/15/AR2008041502951.html
"Many of us are more than qualified - we have neighbors who accountants, lawyers, and real estate agents/developers. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourselves..."
You all will love this....during the Mayor’s walk, I was able to corner Mr. Priest and Mr. Miller from ARHA and discuss with them some of the issues facing the residents who reside across from Jefferson Village. Some of you may recall that I presented a report back in November/December to then ICCA President Patricia Schubert, the executive committee and residents in attendance at the meeting.
I met with Mr. Priest to discuss some concerns and very inexpensive solutions that would benefit both the neighbors, neighborhood and his residents in Jefferson Village. Aside from parking which is a constant issue and concern, we discussed having a wood fence put up around the dumpsters, and we discussed planting some bushes around the parking lot for "beautification" but also to function as a natural barrier to help prevent the kids of Jefferson Village from running across the parking lot and into N. West Street as the traffic has gotten worse. It is only a matter of time before one of the kids gets hit and hurt or God forbid killed.
Anyway, I cornered these two gentlemen at the walk and asked what ever happened as Mr. Priest stopped returning my calls. They gave me the run around, told me funding was an issue and that they would get to it when they would get to it. Shrubs and materials for a fence don't cost that much now folks.
Anyway they finally pawned me off on a Mr. Chaba Josa, Facilities Manager for ARHA. I posed to the three of them that if I were able to get materials donated to them to construct the fence and plant the shrubs would they provide the manpower to have the job done.....of course they said absolutely, a resounding yes.
Push the clock forward TWO DAYS, that's right, only two days, and I had lined up to have the materials donated. I make the phone call to Mr. Priest and Mr. Josa. Ask me if I have yet to receive a return phone call? You guessed it, Not a single return phone call, and I had all the materials donated. It was free, it wouldn't cost them a damn thing, yet ARHA and the idiots that run it can't even accept help from citizens who have to put up with their bull.
Goes to show you that while they preach they are in the business of helping people, when it comes down to it it’s a numbers game for them and they don’t care about the residents they have, much less having a good relationship with the community where their projects are located.
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