Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 8, 1993 TAG: 9306080209
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Gloria Perkins, director of the anti-poverty agency's employment and training program, and assistant Anastosia Metts were named in the indictments.
Chief Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Betty Jo Anthony said Perkins, 46, and Metts, 33, are accused of taking about $1,600 during a nine-month period last year.
The employment and training program - which offers instruction for high school equivalency diplomas, computer skills and basic literacy - is aimed at people who lack the skills, education or motivation to get good jobs.
TAP officials said the money involved in the embezzlement did not go through the agency's $8 million to $9 million budget that includes local, state and federal funds as well as private sources.
Most of the money in question involved plans for a yearbook to be published for the students of the job-training program. After a TAP worker found that money sold for yearbook advertisements and other expenses was unaccounted for, Virginia State Police were asked to investigate.
Since the embezzlement was discovered, the two women have resigned from TAP and have made "substantial restitution," Anthony said.
The indictments allege the money was taken between March 1 and Dec. 31 of last year.
Ted Edlich, the executive director of TAP, could not be reached for comment Monday. In March, when state police were investigating the allegations, he said he regretted the money had not been handled through TAP's regular financial system.
Still, he said it was the first investigation into financial wrongdoing in the agency's 27-year history.
by CNB