Rev. Lurone Jennings, administrator of City Youth and Family Development, has been suspended for one week for misallocation of funds.
He also is to be issued a letter of reprimand and will undergo ethics training.
The action came after a critical audit report from City Auditor Stan Sewell.
It says Mr. Jennings transferred $18,500 of funds to a program, Journey Educational Services, where his daughter is the executive director, instead of sending it to the designated purpose to create the YFD Opportunity Fund. It says $1,500 out of a total of $27,500 designated appeared to go to the YFD.
The report says that although the agreement between the city and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga stipulates disbursements were to be initiated by an advisory committee, it appears the disbursements were made universally by Mr. Jennings.
Maura Sullivan, chief operating officer for the City of Chattanooga, said, "The City of Chattanooga works diligently to ensure every city employee provides superior customer service, efficiently and effectively uses taxpayer dollars, and adheres to the highest standards of trust given to us by the people of our city. After reviewing Internal Audit’s findings, we immediately contacted HR who provided a recommendation on the appropriate course of action. We will move forward with their recommendation, which includes a one week suspension as well as a formal letter of discipline, mandatory ethics training and a Performance Improvement Plan for our YFD administrator. In addition, final approval for all Department of Youth & Family Development's contractual and financial obligations will be made by the City’s Finance Department."
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