An audit of a nonprofit with close ties to Prince George’s County Councilmember Ed Burroughs was supposed to be presented at a meeting Tuesday, but an official said it wasn’t ready.
Dozens of supporters of the organization, Joan’s House, attended the meeting to speak in support of its programs – which have received millions in county taxpayer dollars. The group has received $3.6 million in grant money for programs over the past five years, Burroughs said.
“I think this should be a model and not be broken apart to see where it is that is falling apart,” a supporter of the group said.
“To have these things are a godsend. They’re a blessing. And we’re so grateful that we now have them. And for anyone who were to cut these things, shame on you,” another supporter said.
After supporters, students and parents spoke, the interim executive director of Joan’s House announced the audit wasn’t ready.
“We had hoped to share the audit findings with the council today. Unfortunately, the audit is not yet complete, and we are not in a position to share its findings,” she said.
Leaders with the organization presented an overview of the work being done by Joan’s House: security camera installation, lawn care services, jobs programs and a student leadership academy.
Burroughs’ ties to Joan’s House came into question because of his friendship with Romel Williams, the former head of the nonprofit, who recently stepped down.
News4 asked Burroughs to address that part of the controversy.
“You heard today from people with no dog in the fight: our residents – from senior citizens to parents to students. And I’ll let them have the final say,” he said.
The hearing came after two council members called for an independent outside audit of Joan’s House and implied there may have been ethical issues involved in how grants are awarded..
Council Chair Krystal Oriadha recently came under fire for more than $7 million in grant funds awarded to Community on the Frontline. She’s friends with the leader of the organization.
Oriadha and the county executive sent a letter to the Edward Charles Foundation, the group’s Beverly Hills-based fiscal sponsor, requesting that $7.6 million be returned to the county.
Councilmembers Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison, who both called for the independent audit, complained Tuesday that their microphones were shut off during the hearing and they didn’t get the answers they wanted.
“What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Harrison said. […] If I don’t trust the process, who does?”
Burroughs said he didn’t know when the audit would be complete.
