The Little Rock housing authority versus its own not-for-profit, a continuous battle

LEEGAL COUNSEL: Tom Carpenter addresses the Metropolitan Housing Alliance commission and its director.
Brian Chilson

A taken truck, missing out on money, a real estate authority trailer mysteriously tracked to Florida, unapproved subleasing and other oddities were amongst the headaches Metropolitan Housing Alliance commissioners wrestled with Wednesday as they attempted to clean up the mess with its affiliated not-for-profit.

The Central Arkansas Housing Corporation, created by the Little Rock Housing Authority in 2006, seems filled with mismanagement. Newly sworn-in housing authority commissioners have actually tried to get things back on track, but they've been consulted with resistance from the nonprofit's leaders-- several of whom were likewise just recently gotten rid of from the housing authority's commission.

Brian ChilsonHOUSING COMMISSIONER: Bruce James attends a special called conference on Nov. 8.
On Wednesday, commissioners Kerry Wright, Karen Buchanan and Bruce James authorized a resolution that demands essentially all of the nonprofit's information be turned over to the Metropolitan Housing Alliance by Nov. 13. This action is required due to the fact that getting the nonprofit to comply has been so challenging, City Attorney Tom Carpenter told commissioners Wednesday.

Rather of providing access to monetary software and files, the not-for-profit is shutting down phone services and e-mails, executive director Ericka Benedicto stated. One worker stole a truck, and a monetary director is making unauthorized fund transfers, she said.
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Brian ChilsonHOUSING COMMISSIONER: Karen Buchanan participates in a special called meeting on Nov. 8.
The housing authority's resolution asked for all financial details, any crucial files, passwords, bank accounts and keys to lorries. If these orders aren't followed, it also states legal action will be taken.

There's clear stress between the real estate authority and the not-for-profit Central Arkansas Housing Corporation. Some individuals held positions of power in both entities, and lines are being drawn in the sand.
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It's been a troubled couple of months. Federal reports determining monetary management led to a scrub of the former management on the real estate authority's commission. The Little Rock Board of Directors required the immediate removal of all commissioners in September, and after a hearing procedure, only one was authorized to remain-- Wright.

Brian ChilsonHOUSING COMMISSIONER KERRY WRIGHT.
Lee Lindsey and Leta Anthony, previous commissioners ousted from the real estate authority in September, sued the city declaring they didn't have due procedure. The set attended a hearing on Oct. 31, where Circuit Judge Cara Connors required additional info from the city's legal group for proof that a recognized procedure was followed. Lawyer Sylvester Smith, who is also on staff for the housing authority, is representing Lindsey and Anthony. Their 2 seats on the commission are being held while the claim is ongoing. Another hearing is arranged for Nov. 30.

Brian ChilsonIN COURT: Leta Anthony (left) and Lee Lindsey (best) appeared in court Oct. 31.
Among the other concerns described Wednesday, Benedicto discussed accusations that Anthony was instructing the not-for-profit's staff members to stroll off the task. Benedicto said she spoke with two employees who stated Anthony called them directly and then told them to get the word out. If the staff members continued to work, Anthony said she would have them fired upon her return to the Central Arkansas Housing Corporation, Benedicto said.

10 workers left their positions. These were thought about voluntary resignations after 3 no-call, no-shows, Benedicto stated.
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Anthony did not right away return an ask for remark about these allegations.