We're shocked and saddened to see that veteran area youth leader Lurone Jennings, director of Chattanooga's Youth and Family Development department, has admitted to misusing some $30,000 in nonprofit funds.
We're equally surprised at his light punishment of one week's suspension. At many workplaces, such an offense would prompt a firing. In some cases, the individual would be arrested.
Jennings, up front when confronted, said he knew giving money to a nonprofit run by his daughter was a conflict of interest and said he "expected it would come back to haunt him," according to a memorandum written by city auditor Stan Sewell.
The funds, held by the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and intended to be used for temporary jobs, work scholarships and educational services for students regarding high school graduations, were not only given to his daughter's nonprofit but also handed out for several other purposes that violated the agreement on distribution of funds between the Community Foundation and the city.
From what we can tell, all of the funds - including those given to Jennings' daughter's summer camp for children with disabilities - went to causes that would help youth. In other words, this is not a case where Jennings attempted to feather his nest.
Nevertheless, as he said in the memo, "I'm guilty and whatever the consequences, the challenges I have to face... I have to pay the piper too, as I have to be accountable, as I expect others to be."
Jennings, a minister, former teacher and coach, former principal of Howard School and former executive director of the Bethlehem Center, has for years been a tireless worker on behalf of children and youth. He seemed an ideal candidate to head Mayor Andy Berke's Department of Youth and Family Development when the mayor was elected in April 2013.
However, Sewell's report found the city department administrator also was manipulating investment funds belonging to his former employer, Bethlehem Center, over which he still was an authorized user. The memo noted he moved $30,000 to the city's Youth and Family Development Funds, moved $20,000 from Bethlehem's investment funds to its operating funds and withdrew $2,000. Two months later, he repaid the investment funds $24,000 but apparently had spent the remaining $6,000, which investment holder Generosity Trust agreed to reimburse. It was unclear what became of the $2,000 withdrawal.
Going forward, in addition to the week's suspension, all "financial and contractual" decisions Jennings makes at the city will require final approval by the city's finance department. He also will receive a formal letter of discipline and has to undergo ethics training.
We hope, in addition, Bethlehem Center will rescind its former director as an authorized user of its investment funds but keep him as a friend and supporter of the nearly 100-year-old United Methodist neighborhood center.
Jennings, as always, apparently had his heart in the right place in trying to help young people. However, that is no excuse for breaking rules and not accounting for various funds. Since his punishment already has been meted out and he is staying in his job, we hope going forward he will repay Generosity Trust the $6,000 it reimbursed, account for the other $2,000 and become an even more vigilant steward of funds earmarked to help the area's most vulnerable citizens.