May Charge President
Dues Misspent In Child-Care Local

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

An audit of Local 205 of District Council 1707 by its parent union has found financial irregularities in the way the local spent members' dues money.

CONNIE DERR: Won't tolerate impropriety.

The president of the local and one other executive board member are facing charges. The local's administrator is allowing them to respond to the findings to see if there is a legitimate explanation for missing documentation for travel and other expenses. It is "highly likely" that charges will be filed within the next few weeks against Local 205 President Glen Huff, according to union officials.

'Zero Tolerance'

"We are giving them the opportunity to respond," said Local 205 Administrator Connie Derr, "but we have zero tolerance for any misuse of funds."

Mr. Huff could not be reached for comment.

Executive board members signed off on some of the suspect payments, but other transactions may have occurred without their knowledge. Ms. Derr declined to disclose details of the audit's findings, which must still undergo a final review.

RAGLAN GEORGE: Welcomed administratorship.

The local represents about 6,000 members who work in more than 350 city-funded child-care centers located throughout the city.

Ms. Derr noted that most of the board members cooperated with the process. "They've been very helpful," she said. "There are a few folks who have stayed in the background, but the majority have stepped up and have been productive stewards. They want to do the right thing."

The audit looked at all of the local's financial records and bank statements, tracking how the money was spent and checking board minutes to make sure the expenses were disclosed and approved. Ms. Derr said that in several instances there was no documentation to support expenditures.

The first sign of financial irregularities emerged earlier this year during a routine audit of the local by its parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. DC 1707 Executive Director Raglan George said he alerted AFSCME as soon as he suspected misuse of members' dues money and agreed Jan. 31 to place Local 205 under the control of an administrator.

The entire board was suspended, which is often the practice when an AFSCME affiliate is placed under administratorship. All board members who are cleared of wrongdoing will be reinstated when the administrator returns control to the local, which is expected this fall. The board will then vote to fill any empty seats. A full membership vote will take place next year when the board's term expires.