Evening star., 1963-02-02
Faces Charges;
Other Employees
Are Questioned
BY BETTY MILES
Star Staff Writer

Snea Salo the man resigned by
telephone,
He told Welfare's personnel
officer, Taylor jenkins, he was
quitting to go back to school.
He did not elaborate.
His resignation came as well
fare officials and representa-
tives Of the city's chief legal
officer, the Corporation Coun-
sci, met to draw up charges of
suspension against him.
He came into Mr.. Shea's Of
flee last Tuesday to say that
he took from two men who dis
tribute surplus food to recipi-
ents. He said he gave them in
formation on recipients who
would soon need food picked
up.
He also admitted giving one
of the drivers a surplus food
card made out in the name of
a person whose eligibility had
not been certified.
Mr.. Shea yesterday sent a
transcript Of his interview with
the man to Chester H. Gray,
the Corporation Counsel, for
advice on possible prosecution.
Other Developments
The employees resignation
was one of several develop
ments in the controversial sur
plus food picture.
A squad of investigators
from the Agriculture Depart
ment and the District Internal
Audit Office began questioning
of all employees in the surplus
food division yesterday with
out including welfare officials
in the session.
The Interrogation and an
audit also being conducted by
the same two agencies were
launched by District Commits
sioner John B. Duncan in the
wake Of charges Of abuse of
the surplus food program, in
cluding sale of food for profit.
Mr.. Duncan also has asked
the Police Departments in
ternal audit office, headed by
Deputy Chief Lorraine T. john
son. to cooperate with the
Welfare Department and un-
cover any criminal aspects Of
the reported sale of a surplus
food authorization card to AN
ineligible recipient. -s
c. T. Nottingham, the city's
top licensing officer, began a
full-scale investigation to see
If any licensing regulations are
being violated by drivers who
deliver food to recipients.
Mr.. Shea had asked that his
department be represented on
the interrogating team, and
was under the impression that
welfare would be included.
However, Frank M. Hally, the
Districts Internal Audit Officer
said yesterday it was the
unanimous opinion" of Agri-
culture and the Internal Audit
Office that only these agencies
should conduct the quiz.
Inventory Launched
Agriculture supplies the food
for the program. The Federal
department moved into the
picture at first reports of pos
sible mishandling of the sur
plus food program here.
Five investigators from Ag-
riculture and four from the
audit office arrived at surplus
food headquarters at 357 Vir-
ginia avenue S.W. at 7:l5 am.
yesterday to conduct a COM
plete inventory. The books also
will be checked, and ultimately
investigators will talk with re-
cipients as well as surplus food
division personnel.
The investigation being con-
Quoted by Mr.. Nottingham is
the second inquiry into possible
license violations by the drivers.
Mr.. Shea asked Mr.. Noting
ham last spring to determine
II the men delivering the food
were violating District regula-
tions. Mr.. Nottingham investi-
gated and concluded that regu-
lations weren't being violated
since there was no evidence
that fees we're being charged.
Recipients said they we're re-
imbursing drivers by dona-
tions.
The new Investigation will
check whether drivers now
charge a fee for delivery.
Supervision Weighed
II will try TO determine II
the service should be licensed
or supervised. and II any pre-
sent licensing rules are being
violated, Mr.. Nottingham said.
When he announced the re-
suits OF last years investiga-
tion, Mr.. Nottingham sug-
eested that since the District
was making the food available
TO the needy II was logical for
the District TO see that II gets
TO the homes OF every one who
can benefit from II. The food
packages weigh about 40
pounds each. A family OF five
or more Is eligible for about
200 pounds at one time.
\ Food is distributed at one
central distribution point at
357 Virginia avenue S.W.
Meanwhile. Tilford z. Dudley.
chairman OF the Citizens Coun-
Gil for the District. announced
that Mr. Shea and other well
fare officials would appear be-
fore the council at 9:30 am.
next Friday to explain the Wei
fare Departments program and
problems.
The welfare officials. includ-
ing Deputy Director Donald
Brewer; Donald Gray, chief OF
the pubiic assistance divisio,,