Since Fall 2000 Welfare Warriors have been demanding that Wisconsin terminate Goodwill's W2 welfare contract and prosecute them for felony welfare fraud. (Goodwill's Employment Solutions admitted spending half a million dollars on out-of-state activities and local parties.) Welfare Warriors exposed Goodwill's fraud in their 2001 Photo Bus Tour of the Bloated Welfare Empire, national press releases, and public actions.
One week after the photo bus tour Goodwill agreed to "voluntarily" give up their W2 contract effective December 2001. Goodwill cited "community dissatisfaction." Goodwill will be returning the remaining half of their $87 million contract.
No Criminal Charges Filed Against
W2 Agencies' Welfare Fraud
by Pat Gowens
Maximus and Goodwill, the two largest W2 welfare agencies in Milwaukee, have admitted to "improperly spending" hundreds of thousands of welfare dollars on projects in other states, parties, promotional schemes, meals and concerts. Maximus admits to "inappropriately" billing the state $411,000 while the Legislative Joint Audit found an additional $1.6 million that wasn't "well documented."Goodwill' s Employment Solutions "mistakenly billed" the state for $143,000.
Maximus spent Wisconsin welfare money in New York to secure a welfare contract ($51,000), on "disallowed meals" ($17,358 ), on social activities and a holiday party for staff ($35,000), on a fatherhood summit by Hudson Institute conservative think tank ($10,000), on a stage at a French festival ($5000), on promotional items and publicity to advertise their company logo ($184,000) and on a performer for a party for staff and 12 program "graduates." ($23,000).Goodwill, which is still under investigation, admits to spending $143,000 on travel, meals, housing and salaries in Arizona to secure a welfare contract there. (All figures from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.)
To date there is no move to terminate either corporation's current or future W2 contracts (Goodwill: $102 million; Maximus: $58 million). Nor has the DA filed criminal charges against either agency.
When millionaire agencies bilk the state of hundreds of thousands of dollars both the state and the media label their massive welfare fraud as merely "inappropriate" and "improper spending." Yet a single mom on welfare who "improperly" or "inappropriately" reports income is charged with felony welfare fraud and prosecuted criminally. Neither the state, the DA, nor the media take pity on the desperate mom with euphemistic language like "improper" or "erroneous" reporting. She is labeled, charged, prosecuted , convicted and sentenced as a criminal. And yes, she also has to repay the state.
The wealthy W2 agencies insist that they were "unaware" of their billing/reporting "errors." Somehow they did not know they were committing welfare fraud when they spent Wisconsin W2 funds in New York and Arizona. Perhaps that is why the DA has not brought criminal charges against them. Yet if a mother on welfare is "unaware" of reporting "errors" (even if she doesn't report income because only her children are on welfare, not herself), ignorance of the law is no defense. How then can millionaire agencies with high-paid lawyers and accountants plead ignorance and avoid prosecution?
While the daily media minimizes Maximus' and Goodwill's theft of welfare funds,they also overlook the victims of this crime. These state-funded welfare administrators stole cash not from a vague "state," but from impoverished mothers, children and people with disabilities who sought assistance and were illegally turned away, sanctioned and terminated.
The examples are chilling. Goodwill denied Yvette Reeves the cash support she needed to stay home during the summer to care for her 13 year old son, D'Andre, who had Cerebral Palsy and mental retardation. When she asked for child care for her 13 year old boy in a wheel chair, Goodwill again denied her funds. When D'Andre Reeves was scalded to death in his bathtub while being cared for by a 14 year old sibling, Goodwill offered no apologies and still no money. Goodwill continues to deny funds to single mothers to care for sick children, moms who are hospitalized or too sick to do Goodwill's unwaged labor, and mothers who are facing eviction and job loss.
While Maximus was embezzling $411,000, they denied single moms like Tracy Jones, Alfreda Parks and Ethel Scott funds to tide them over between jobs. Instead Maximus referred these women in crisis to Maximus' Temporary agency, Max Staff, which sent them to do part-time temporary factory work in a nearby town, charging them $20 a week for van service from Maximus to the factory.MaxStaff paid the women $7.01 an hour while paying men on the same job $8.14.By refusing to provide cash to these struggling families Maximusprofited in four ways:temp job profit,van profit,discrimination profit andunspent funds! Quadruple dipping while unlawfully appropriating welfare funds for parties, trips and NY outreach.
Privatization Out of Control
Ironically, sadly, both Maximus and Goodwill also stand to reap as much as $4.4 million in performance bonuses for so effectively denying and terminating W2 support for families (case reduction). And the Private Industry Council, the agency that "earned" $1 million a year to monitor the W2 contracts, will again receive a million dollars to "review W2 contracts," while providing no financial oversight and no protection to W2's victims.
W2 "case reduction" and "improper spending" has resulted in a 37% increase in infant mortality in Milwaukee each year since W2began ( Start Smart Milwaukee, 2000). While Goodwill and Maximus enjoy lavish meals, trips, parties, and concerts, 30 more African American Milwaukee babies under the age of 1die unnecessary deaths each year. Older children and disabled mothers who have died as a result of W2's failed experiment are not included in the study. Corporate welfare has never been so lucrative--or so deadly.
Please sign the following letter to DA
McCann urging him to prosecute the mothermuggers Maximus
and Goodwill. Snail mail or email the
letter to the Welfare Warriors, and we will send along the letters we collect to
McCann.
Welfare Warriors 2711 W. Michigan St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212 District Attorney E. Michael
McCann:
We demand that you prosecute Goodwill
and Maximus for criminal misuse of welfare funds.
While these two W2 agencies spent state-contracted money lavishly on themselves, they were illegally denying eligible families cash assistance, the Job Access Loan, child care assistance, fact findings, exemptions from work requirements, and even food stamps. State money that is contracted to assist mothers and children in poverty is instead benefiting two corrupt corporations that are ruthlessly endangering the lives of mothers and children.
- Maximus and Goodwill have admitted to "improperly spending" (frauding) nearly a million welfare dollars ($781,000) on non-welfare projects--even on business in other states.
- Maximus' fraud included spending $411,000 on trips out of state, jazz festivals, mealos, parties, drinks, and logos on fanny packs.
- Goodwill admits to spending $270,000 in Arizona, New York, and Florida to secure welfare contracts! They spent another $100,000 on meals, drinks, and parties.
Please prosecute Goodwill and Maximus for their obvious, blatant theft of state welfare moneys. Only through prosecution will these private businesses, and all W2 agencies, realize that they will not be allowed to trample on the law and violate the lives of Wisconsin's most vulnerable citizens. Sincerely,
NAME_____________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________
CITY, STATE,
ZIP____________________________________
PHONE
(optional)_____________________________________
OPEN LETTER TO WISCONSIN STATE ATTORNEY JAMES E. DOYLE
As mothers who 1) represent victims of Maximus' and Goodwill's criminal welfare fraud, and as mothers and children who 2) have been victims of Maximus' and Goodwill's criminal welfare fraud, Welfare Warriors demand that Milwaukee District attorney E. Michael McCann prosecute Maximus and Goodwill for their blatant misuse of state funds i.e. welfare fraud: "Intentionally made a false or misleading statement, misrepresented or withheld facts or committed an act intended to mislead or to misrepresent or withhold facts...to benefit financially." s.49.19.
Both Maximus and Goodwill admitted that they spent Wisconsin W2 funds in other states. Both agencies intentionally made false statements, misrepresented facts, and withheld facts intended to mislead or misrepresent, to benefit financially. Not one person in Maximus' or Goodwill's administration believed that Wisconsin state welfare funds were allocated for use in New York and Arizona. No amount of "sloppy bookkeeping" can defend this obvious welfare fraud.
Maximus also admitted intentional misuse of Wisconsin welfare money on parties, meals, concerts, conservative think tanks, and promotional items. Maximus has agreed to repay the state for these illegal expenditures, admitting that they were wrong. Even if McCann chooses to ignore these expenditures as unintentional "errors," he cannot pretend that their illegal appropriation of state funds to secure welfare contracts in New York was an "error."
E. Michael McCann's department pursues a harsh prosecution policy for single mothers on welfare who fail to report all income or fail to reporat a father in the home. Although these women are not dangerous criminals, but mothers surviving a cruel system designed to keep them in poverty, McCann extends no mercy, no understanding, no excuses for their "erroneous reporting." He prosecutes them fully and aggressively for their "welfare fraud." He seeks prison sentences to punish them for trying to survive. He separates them from their children without compassion.
Maximus' and Goodwill's welfare fraud has endangered many in our community. Over 100 African American children in Milwaukee have died, primarily as a result of W2 agencies' abuse of state funds. Thousands of children are left alone and in danger because of W2 agencies' welfare fraud. Hundreds of mothers and children with disabilities are made sicker and weaker.
On a daily basis Welfare Warriors has contact with distraught moms who describe Goodwill's and Maximus' systematic, illegal, daily misuse of state funds by:
- Illegally denying eligible families in crisis any cash;
- illegally denying eligible families in crisis the Job Access Loan;
- illegally denying eligible families the right to a Fact Finding;
- illegally sanctioning eligible family's entire or partial check;
- illegally denying and/or delaying child care for employed moms and moms in CSJ;
- illegally denying sick moms or moms with sick babies an exemption from work;
- illegally denying receipt of moms' documentation mailed, dropped off, or faxed to them;
- illegally denying families in crisis the state Emergency Assistance or illegally denying W2, instead forcing families to exhaust their Emergency Assistance;
- illegally aiding county workers in denying/delaying foodstamps and medical assistance;
- illegally terminating cases while the family is still eligible for benefits;
- illegally invading the homes of families in crisis with "family advocates;"
- illegally retaliating against moms who request Fact Findings or complain publicly;
- illegally sending Learnfare workers to homes of families with non-truant children.
WE DEMAND THAT E. MICHAEL MCCANN PROSECUTES MAXIMUS AND GOODWILL FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST THE STATE AND THE CITIZENS OF WISCONSIN.
SEND THIS OPEN LETTER TO WISCONSIN STATE
ATTORNEY JAMES E. BOYLE WITH YOUR OWN COMMENTS: 123
W. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-1221
wisag@doj.state.wi.us
Carta Para Abogada General De Wisconsin JAMES E. BOYLE
Como madres que 1) representamos victimas del fraude criminal de welfare comitido por Maximus y Goodwill, y como madres y niños/as que 2) han sido victimas del fraude criminal de welfare comitido por Maximus y Goodwill,
Welfare Warriors insisten que el Abogado Distrito de Milwaukee, E.Michael McCann, procese a Maximus y Goodwill por sus abusos criminales de fondos del Estado de Wisconsin --su defraude del welfare: “intencionalmente hizo declaraciones falsos o engañados, falfisico o retuvo datos, o cometio un acto para enganar o falsificar, o retener datos... para beneficiar financialmente” s.49.19.
Maximus y Goodwill admitieron que gastaron fondos del Wisconsin W2 en otros estados. Las dos agencias intencionalmente hicieron declaraciones falsos, falfisicaron datos, y retuvieron datos para engañar y falsificar... para beneficiar financialmente. Ni una persona de la administración de Goodwill y Maximus creyeron que los fondos del welfare del estado de Wisconsin fueron regalado para uso en Nueva York o en Arizona. Ningún “contadoría erronea” puede defender este obvio defraude del welfare.
Maximus tambien admitió intencionalmente abusando el dinero del welfare para fiestas, comidas, conciertos y promocionales. Maximus se puso de acuerdo en pagarle al estado por sus gastos ilegales, admitiendo que “se equivocaron.” Igual si McCann decide de ignorar estos gastos como “errores,” el no puede pretender que su apropiación ilegal del dinero del Estado para conseguir contratos de welfare en Nueva York era un “error.”
El departamento de E. Michael McCann persigue agresivamente una pólitica de prosecución a las madres solteras en welfare que dejan de reportar todo el dinero que se ganan o dejan de reportar a un papa que vive en el hogar. Aunque estas madres no son peligrosas ni criminales, pero madres sobreviviendo en un sistema cruel diseñado a mantenerse en pobreza, E. Michael McCann no extiende ni misericordia, comprension, o excusas para sus “reportes erróneos.” El las procese completamente y agresivamente por su “defraude de welfare.” El pide sentenciarlas a prisión, castigandolas por tratar de sobrevivir. El las separa de sus hijos e hijas sin compasión.
El defraude de welfare de Maximus y Goodwill si se ha puesto en peligro a la comunidad. Más que 100 niños/as Africanos en Milwaukee han muerto, a resultado mayormente del abuso de los fondos del estado por las agencias del W2. Miles de criaturas han sido desamparadas y puesto en peligro por el defraude de welfare comitido por las agencias del W2. Cienes de madres y niños/as incapacitadas se han puesto más enfermas y débiles.
Diariamente las Welfare Warriors están en contacto con madres turbadas que describen el abuso sistematico, ilegal, diario de los fondos del estado hecho por el Goodwill y Maximus en las maneras siguientes:
- Negar ilegalmente cualquier dinero a familias elegibles en crises;
- Negar ilegalmente el prestamo “Job Access” a familias elegibles en crises;
- Negar ilegalmente el derecho de un Fact Finding a familias elegibles ;
- Quitarles (sanction) el cheque completo o parte del cheque a familias elegibles ;
- Negar o tardar ilegalmente el cuidado de niño para madres que trabajan o están trabajando sin pago
- Negar ilegalmente a madres enfermas o madres con bebés enfermos, una excusa del trabajo;
- Negar ilegalmente el recibo de los documentos que las madres entregaron en persona, o mandaron por correo o por fax;
- Negar ilegalmente la Asistencia de Emergencia del estado a familias en crisis o
- Negar ilegalmente el W2, y en su lugar forzar a la familia a acabar con su Asistencia de Emergencia del estado;
- Ayudar ilegalmente a que los trabajadores sociales nieguen o tarden los cupones y el Assistencia Medica;
- Terminar ilegalmente el caso mientras la familia todavía está elegible para beneficios;
- Invadir ilegalmente los hogares de familias en crisis con “abogadas de familia;”
- Vengarse ilegalmente contra las madres quiénes solicitan un Fact Finding o se quejan en publico;
- Mandar ilegalmente a trabajadores de Learnfare a los hogares de familias con niños que no hacen novillos;
NOSOTROS DEMANDAMOS QUE EL ABOGADO DISTRICTO DE MILWAUKEE, E. MICHAEL McCANN, PROCESE A MAXIMUS Y GOODWILL POR SU CRIMEN DE DEFRAUDAR A WELFARE EN CONTRA DE LOS CIUDADANOS DE WISCONSIN
Manden esta
carta a Gerald Boylecon sus propios comentarios: Abogada General de Wisconsin
James E Boyle:
123 W. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-1221
wisag@doj.state.wi.us
JOIN THE WELFARE WARRIORS
ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2001, AT 12:00
AT MAXIMUS
TO CELEBRATE GOODWILL (EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS) EVICTION FROM THE W2 GOLD MINES!
Call (414) 342-6662