Two Prince George’s County Council members are demanding an audit of how county taxpayer dollars are being funneled to community organizations.
Those councilmembers, Sydney Harrison and Jolene Ivey, say the controversy surrounding grants and so-called project charges is causing people to lose trust in local government.
“Open up the books. Allow the citizens of the county to see clearly where their dollars are being spent,” Harrison said.
Council Chair Krystal Oriadha, who recently came under scrutiny for her ties to an organization that received millions in taxpayer dollars, has now responded on social media and in a statement.
Harrison and Ivey are calling for an independent audit of two organizations that have received millions of taxpayer dollars.
“And we have been kind of alarmed about what we’ve been seeing lately,” Ivey said. “We can’t say that we’re seeing things that are illegal, but at minimum, they seem to be unethical.”
They want an audit of the roughly $8.6 million provided to the organization Community on the Frontline, which is run by Janna Parker, an activist and a friend of Oriadha, and millions provided to Joan’s House, a nonprofit that was run by Romel Williams, a friend of Councilmember Ed Burroughs.
“So we have some concerns. There’s a lot of money involved, and we’re not getting answers,” Ivey said.
The News4 I-Team has been investigating the awarding of grants to nonprofits, how that money is being used and the groups’ ties to certain councilmembers.
Ivey and Harrison said the lack of transparency has led to a loss of public trust.
“I am calling for our state prosecutor to look into these matters so we can iron out what is the truth, what is factual, and what is not,” Harrison said.
While Oriadha has declined to speak on camera to News4, she posted three videos (part 1, part 2, part 3) on her social media accounts over the weekend and released a longer statement late Monday evening.
In her social media videos, Oriadha answered questions about her ties to Community on the Frontline and posted a 27-page document about the approval process for the funding and how the money is being used, and the steps she says she took to respond to News4.
“And I thought it was really important that I directly speak to the residents about issues concerning grant funding,” Oriadha said in one of the videos.
Harrison and Ivey said much more information needs to be provided about how the millions are being spent.
“She seems to have a lot to say, at least on social media, but as far as talking to reporters who have asked her questions, she does not want to answer questions to them and she’s not answering questions to us,” Ivey said.
Early Monday evening, Oriadha released a statement saying in part, “I welcome an audit of all Council grant programs, including Community on the Frontline, and will fully support and cooperate with the review. Transparency and accountability are principles I have consistently supported. In fact, I recently instituted a policy requiring an automatic audit every two years for grants exceeding $150,000 and requested that Community on the Frontline be in the first group audited.”
“I am confident in the process that was followed and support a thorough review conducted on a clear timeline so residents can see the facts for themselves,” Oriadha’s statement went on to say in part.
Burroughs provided a statement to News4, saying: “I welcome a full and transparent review of the facts. Taxpayers deserve to know that public dollars are being used appropriately and delivering results for our communities. I am confident in the work that has been done and believe an independent review will help separate the facts from the political rhetoric surrounding this issue.”
Ivey recently introduced a bill that would have created an independent office of an inspector general for the county but it failed to pass. She said she plans to introduce it again.
In a statement, Joan’s House told News4: “Joan’s House welcomes full transparency and any fair, independent review of our use of public funds.”
Their statement went on to say, “We will fully cooperate with any appropriate review while remaining focused on creating opportunities, changing lives, and delivering meaningful results for our community.”
News4 also reached out to Community on the Frontline but we have not heard back yet.
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