May 1, 2009
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News: WNK AmeriCorps CC Audit
A state audit is scheduled to begin this week to investigate allegations that several Western New York AmeriCorps (WNY AmeriCorps) employees charged $120,000 on West Seneca, NY, town’s credit cards last year. Western New York AmeriCorps is a non-profit organization which serves individuals age 17 and over. The agency’s prime focus is in helping youth earn funds to further their education while serving their local communities. The town of West Seneca and the WNY AmeriCorps were previously intertwined and agreed to separate in August. Prior to the split, 14 town credit cards were issued to WNY AmeriCorps employees who reportedly continue to use them even after the split. In the past, WNY AmeriCorps employees used the town’s credit cards to pay operating expenses. The town paid the bills and was later reimbursed by the agency.
West Seneca’s Councilwoman Sheila Meegan sparked the investigation with inquiries on numerous town credit card purchases made by non-employees. Included in on the questionable charges were cash advances, liquor purchases, and Sunoco gas purchases. According to Patrick Metzger, Director of Integrated Communications for AmeriCorps, the cash advances were used to make purchases for the “Breakfast with Santa” which is sponsored by the youth agency. He also indicated that liquor purchases were for a WNY AmeriCorps reception and that gas purchases were used to pay for volunteers’ travel expenses only. However, according to Ms. Meegan, little documentation is available to support the credit card purchases. Additionally, Ms. Meegan noted that town employees have access to the town’s gas pump and found no justification for the Sunoco gas purchases.
Mark Lazzara, the Executive Director of the town’s Youth Bureau who is also WNY AmeriCorps’ Executive Director, has questioned Ms. Meegan’s motives of the allegations. Ms. Meegan maintains her only interest is in demonstrating accountability to Seneca’s taxpayers. Not all council members agree with Ms. Meegan and feel in light of the fact they have recently separated from the agency, they do not see a problem. They believe the agency has always reimbursed the town for all their purchases. During the interim, Mr. Metzger has indicated that the agency is in the process of establishing its own credit accounts at which time they will no longer use town cards. The audit should determine to what extent, if any, the agency has abused the use of the credit cards.