Ill. Investigates Spending by State-Funded Foster-Care Charity

Illinois officials are investigating the finances of a Chicago social-service nonprofit that has received millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, some of which auditors say has gone into a condominium, car, spa treatments, prescription medications, and other personal expenses for the charity’s founder, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Annie B. Jones Community Services, also known as ABJ, has regularly won state contracts since 1998, primarily to recruit foster parents and handle administrative matters related to foster care. Launched two decades ago by its namesake’s daughter, Vivian R. Jones, the organization has grown to provide addiction treatment, job training, and other programs and has received more than $10-million from the state since 2010.

A report by the inspector general of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services alleged “excessive mismanagement of public funds” by the charity and said the state agency “stood by for nearly a decade” despite indications that ABJ was running large deficits, lacked board oversight, and failed to comply with prior audit findings.

Vivian Jones has not been charged with wrongdoing. She is no longer an employee of ABJ, according to her daughter, Victoria Brady, now the charity’s executive director.