Home Blog Page 4290

Justin Elpers City Council 5th Ward Statement on the ECHO

1

Justin Elpers
City Council 5th Ward

ECHO statement:
“I will ask the council to suspend the rules at our next city council meeting on April 9th and request we vote on the following Finance Ordinance.”

1.  Withhold 2018 appropriated ECHO funds
2.  Receive an independent audit from ECHO
3.  ECHO provides evidence and procedures that will prevent fraud in the future

“If these items are provided and it displays ECHO in good financial health then the council will release the 2018 funds.”

JUST IN: EPD To Conduct FormaI Investigation Into The Alleged Misuse Of ECHO Housing Funds By Former Director

2

EPD To Conduct FormaI Investigation Into The Alleged Misuse Of ECHO Housing Funds By Former Director

presented by EPD Sergeant and Communication Officer Jason Cullum 

Earlier today, we began a formal investigation into the alleged misuse of ECHO Housing Corporation funds by Stephanie TenBarge.

Although many crimes require a cooperating victim for an investigation to proceed, there are exceptions. Due to particular circumstances, in this case, society has been listed as the victim. ECHO has been listed as an involved party. Those classifications can be changed as need depending on how the investigation proceeds. At this time, there is no additional information to release on the investigation itself.

We do, however, want to provide a timeline of events as they pertain to the Evansville Police Department.

At the time of the discovery of the misused funds, The ECHO Board of Directors consisted of several members, including EPD Officer Eric Krogman. Officer Krogman had been a board member for approximately I year prior to the disclosure of the misused funds. His primary role on the board was to address Crime Prevention issues at ECHO owned properties

On 02-24-18 Officer, Krogman received an email from ECHO Board President Roy Dane Chandler. The email read
Eric,
Can you please give me a call when you get this e-mail. It is regarding a sensitive matter concerning Echo Housing. My cell number is *********.

Thanks,
Dane

On Monday, February 26th, Officer Krogman spoke to Mr. Chandler about the misuse of funds.
Later that day, as required by EPD policy, Officer Krogman notified his supervisor that he had received information about a possible felony crime.

His email read-
Sarge,

I was contact today by Roy Chandler who is on the Echo Housing Board along with me and works at 5/3rd Bank. He said that it was brought to his attention that looking through the Echo financial information that there could be a possible misappropriation of funds by Echo Housing Corporation’s Executive Director Stephanie TenBarge. He said it looks as though it’s possible that TenBarge paid her property taxes with Echo Housing funds among other issues. They are looking into payroll and expense account reports too. I suggested that he let our financial crimes unit look at it as well. He said he is meeting with attorney Scott Wiley who specializes in non-profits later today. I wanted to let you know this encase it would get to the point on the board voting on terminating her or some other form of discipline. Also if it would come to that point should I abstain from voting on that issue? They would have quorum without me.

Thanks,
Eric Krogman, CPD

Over the next days and weeks, despite a repeated request to file a police report, ECHO excluded the EPD from any official involvement into the matter. That decision put Officer Krogman in a moral and ethical situation that he felt he needed to remove himself from.

On March 8th, officer Krogman resigned from the ECHO Housing Corporation. His email to the board members read-

I would like for this e-mail to serve as my official resignation from the Board of Directors for Echo Housing Corporation. I do not feel comfortable continuing to sit on the board after recent events and the way in which they were handled. I have an oath

I have taken and was asked to ignore it for the sake of the board which is something I cannot and will not do.

Respectfully Submitted,
Eric Krogman, CPD

While we do not have enough info to say how much money was misappropriated or where the money came from, we do know ECHO receives money from local and federal sources. In the interest of transparency and accountability, we feel it is appropriate to use our available resources in this case.

FOOTNOTE:  The information presented at the EPD press conference was sent to us by EPD Sergeant and Communication Officer Jason Cullum. 

UE Hires Walter McCarty as Head Men’s Basketball Coach

1

UE Hires Walter McCarty as Head Men’s Basketball Coach

MARCH 22ND, 2018  JOJO GENTRY EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, UE

Walter McCarty is coming home.

 

McCarty tells Sports Director JoJo Gentry that he will be the next head men’s basketball coach at UE. McCarty, a Harrison High School graduate, wrapped up his interview with UE Director of Athletics Mark Spencer and others Wednesday.

McCarty comes to UE from the Boston Celtics, where he was hired as an assistant coach in 2013.

Fellow Harrison graduate Calbert Cheaney, and the former University of Southern Indiana standout David Ragland, also interviewed for the job on campus earlier this week.

Cheaney texted Gentry the following statement regarding McCarty’s abilities to lead a college basketball program:

“He would be a wonderful college head coach. He’s a great guy with great character. I think he would do a great job in leading a college program.”

During McCarty’s time at Harrison, he was named the 1992 Evansville Player of the Year, and to the Indiana All-Star basketball team. He also guided the Warriors to their first sectional championship in program history as a senior in 1992. The team also won the city and conference titles that year. McCarty was a multi-sport athlete at Harrison, finishing second overall in the 800 Meters at the IHSAA Track and Field state finals.

McCarty went on to play college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he led the Wildcats to an NCAA title in 1996. Following that historic run with UK, McCarty was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. He went on to play for the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers. After ten years of playing in the NBA, McCarty coached under Rick Pitino at the University of Louisville for three years. In 2010, he spent one year as an assistant coach with the Indiana Pacers.

FOOTNOTE: Follow JoJo Gentry on Twitter for the latest: @JGentry44News.

Pieroni’s American Record, Runner-Up Relay Highlight First Night of NCAA Championships

0

The No. 3-ranked Indiana University men’s swimming and diving team began competition at the 2018 NCAA Championships on Wednesday night at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, Minn. in record fashion.

The Hoosier 800 freestyle relay team of Blake Pieroni, Mohamed Samy, Vini Lanza and Ian Finnerty took second place with a Big Ten and IU school record time of 6:06.01. The runner-up relay finish is the best for the Hoosiers at the NCAA Championships since winning the 800 free relay in 1975.

The quartet eclipsed the previous records they set in the event last month at the Big Ten Championships by over five seconds.

Leading off for the Hoosiers, Pieroni became the first swimmer in history to break the 1:30 mark, setting the American, NCAA, NCAA Meet, U.S. Open, Big Ten, school and pool records with his blistering time of 1:29.63.

The senior will swim in three individual events at the NCAA Championships, entering as the No. 2 seed in the 200 freestyle and the No. 4 seed in the 100 freestyle.

The No. 3-ranked Indiana University Hoosiers will continue competition at the 2018 NCAA Championships on Thursday morning with the prelims of the 200 freestyle relay, 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle and 1-meter dive. Action gets underway at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic

Eagles sink Tritons, 16-5

0

The University of Southern Indiana baseball team scored 11 times in the first three frames and cruised to a 16-5 victory over the University of Missouri-St. Louis in a non-conference game Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis, Missouri. USI watches its record go to 8-9 overall, while UMSL goes to 8-10 in 2018.

The Screaming Eagles took command from the first pitch, scoring five in the first, four in the second, and two in the third to lead 11-1. USI, which reached double-digits in runs for the first time this season and led by as many as 13 runs during the contest, finished out the scoring with one in the fifth and sixth and three in the eighth.

The Eagles’ offensive surge was led by senior first baseman Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) and junior catcher Logan Brown (Mt. Vernon, Indiana). McNamara finished the game four for four with two runs scored, three doubles, and four RBIs, while Brown was two for four with four RBIs. McNamara’s four hits tied a career-best and Brown’s four RBIs established a new career-high.

On the mound, USI junior left-hander Chase Partain (Evansville, Indiana) went the first three frames for the Eagles. Partain allowed two runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out two.

Senior designated hitter/pitcher Nick Gobert (Jasper, Indiana) followed for the next four frames to earn the win. Gobert (1-2) allowed one run on four hits and a walk with four strike outs.

The final two innings went to sophomore left-hander Trevor Salmon (Noblesville, Indiana) and sophomore right-hander Jordan Kelly (Carbondale, Illinois). Salmon threw a scoreless eighth inning, while Kelly finished the game by allowing two runs in the ninth.

The Eagles return to the USI Baseball Field this weekend to start a 13-game homestand that will span March 24 to April 11. The start of the homestand also is the beginning of the 2018 GLVC slate when the University of Illinois Springfield comes to Evansville for a four-game slate on March 24-25.

USI leads the all-time series with Illinois Springfield, 20-4, after taking three of the five games last season. The Eagles took three of four on the road versus the Prairie Stars in Springfield, Illinois, but lost the meeting in the GLVC Tournament in Springfield, Missouri. McNamara and junior second baseman Jacob Fleming (Evansville, Indiana) batted over .500 in the five games with the Stars, hitting .545 (6-11) and .533 (8-15), respectively. Brown tied for the team lead with four RBIs.

Gov. Holcomb Statements & Bill Watch Update

0

The governor signed 40 bills today, including SEA 52 regarding CBD oil and SEA 419 regarding professional licensing for DACA recipients. The governor offered the following comments upon signing these bills:

Statement on SEA 52

“Indiana lawmakers delivered a bill that ensures Hoosiers who benefit from CBD oil can access it. The bill provides much needed clarity, with labeling requirements and a 0.3% THC limit on CBD products. I’m grateful for the General Assembly’s hard work to bring me a bill to address the needs expressed by our citizens.”

Statement on SEA 419

“I support removing impediments in state law that keep Indiana’s DACA recipients from skilling up and going to work. Many thanks to Indiana lawmakers for taking swift action to address this issue.”

You can view more details at the 2018 Bill Watch webpage: http://in.gov/gov/2966.htm.

 

EPD ACTIVITY REPORTS

0

EPD REPORT

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS

0

http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx

“IS IT TRUE” MARCH 22, 2018

21

We hope that today’s “Readers Forum” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

IS IT TRUE during the last several days the ECHO Board of Directors refused to file a report to investigate allegations of financial impropriety at ECHO Housing with the Evansville Police Department?  …we wonder what the ECHO Board are trying to hide from the public?

IS IT TRUE at Monday’s night City Council meeting DMD Director, Kelley Coures told  Council members that the former ECHO Housing Director used the nonprofit’s money on more than just her personal property taxes?  …earlier Mr. Coures told the Courier and Press that “We combed through all of our grant programs and all the money that we run through ECHO, “We are 100 percent confident that ECHO used all our fund’s property”? …we also find it interesting that Mr. Coures also told the Courier and Press “that he did not know what funding source TenBarge used to pay her personal property taxes?” …it’s obvious that Mr. Coures would be better served if he just keep quiet and let law enforcement decide if there are any missing funds at ECHO?

IS IT TRUE earlier in the week it was reported that ECHO attorney Scott Wylie claimed that all ECHO funds have been accounted for? …later in the week, ECHO attorney Wylie announced that ECHO has hired a forensic accountant to audit the organization’s financial records?  …we wonder why Mr. Wylie would hire an accounting firm to do a forensic audit if all the ECHO funds have been accounted for?  …it looks like ECHO attorney is another one that should keep quiet and let law enforcement look into the allegations of financial impropriety at ECHO Housing?

IS IT TRUE ECHO Housing is a non-profit 501 3 (c) entity?  …that the funds used for services offered by the ECHO Housing agency come from Federal, State, and local governmental entities?  …that the ECHO Housing Board of Directors has complete control over the decision to exclude the Evansville Police Department from looking into allegations of financial impropriety at ECHO Housing? …yesterday, the ECHO Board of Directors decided to keep EPD from looking into allegations of financial impropriety at ECHO Housing?  …we wonder what the ECHO Board of Directors is trying to hide from the public?

IS IT TRUE due to the serious nature of the allegations of financial impropriety at ECHO Housing and the fact that ECHO Housing receives federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, we are glad that the Evansville Police Department has contacted the HUD Inspector General’s Office in Indianapolis?  IS IT TRUE can anyone tell us who are the current ECHO Housing Board of Directors?

IS IT TRUE the often overlooked reality in cases where employee theft is alleged is that the Boards of Directors are responsible for oversight of non-profit spending?  … it’s obvious that ECHO Housing agency Board of Directors don’t realize that they have a legal fiduciary responsibility to see that agency funds are spent property?

IS IT TRUE that there are now five finalists that have been interviewed to take over the reins of the University of Evansville men’s basketball program?…all five have some amount of experience as assistant coaching experience for teams that have been competitive?…it is of some curiosity that not a single one of the five candidates interviewed has ever been a head coach of a Division 1 basketball team so whoever is hired will start his career off with a 0 – 0 record?…this means that the new coach of the Aces will be definition be untested as a head coach and will not only have to make himself from the ground up but re-make the UE program from the ground up as well?…the City-County Observer always wishes UE success on and off the court and will be a supporter of whoever is hired?…we are sort of astonished however that the big name coaches were not beating down the doors to get the job that would allow them to coach in the magnificent $127.5 million Ford Center?

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that the ECHO Board of Directors made a major mistake by refusing to file a report with the EPD concerning alleged financial impropriety at the agency?

Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 4NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

Copyright 2018 City-County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Gov. Holcomb signs two Next Level Agenda workforce bills

0

 INDIANAPOLIS –Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today signed two workforce-focused bills at Cummins Global Distribution Center in downtown Indianapolis. The bills—HEA 1002 and SEA 50—were among Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level priorities for the 2018 legislative session.

“These two bills position us to transform the state’s current approach to workforce development,” Gov. Holcomb said. “In the months ahead, we’ll assess our current programs, align them better to the needs of real job creators, and make them more accessible and easier to use.”

This new legislation will expand access to training funds for Hoosier adults and employers via the state’s Next Level Jobs initiative. It will also encourage more employer-driven, regionally-focused workforce partnerships, like the one between Cook Group, Monroe County Consolidated School Corporation and Ivy Tech in Bloomington. Additionally, the bills signed by Gov. Holcomb today will also put a stronger emphasis on high-demand careers experiencing shortages, such as nursing, and create the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet.

“We look forward to continuing to work with our state and local leaders and public and private organizations across the state to develop the workforce we need now and for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Cathy Van Way, Executive Director, Government Relations, Cummins Inc. “It will take significant work by all of us to equip both young students and adults with the skills necessary for the rapidly changing technical jobs. Cummins understands that our businesses are only as strong as the communities in which we live and by creating a strong workforce, we can increase opportunities for more Hoosiers to thrive and to set Indiana apart as a national leader in workforce development.”

 

1...4,2894,2904,291...7,241Page 4,290 of 7,241