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Mundy Candy continued from page 1 continued from page 8 American community. Partnering with other communities of color and Portland State University, the league has pushed for research to expose how racial disparities are hurting African American families and chil- dren. The league has pushed state legisla- tors to change laws and policies for the ben- efit of communities of color and low- income people. And it launched an urban gardening program with the African Women’s Coalition. However, both the county auditor and an independent audit by the accounting firm Gary McGee & Co. have found that Mundy’s credit card expenditures were not backed up by receipts, leaving no evidence showing the money was spent on legitimate programs. About $44,000 out of the league’s total budget of more than $1 mil- lion, has not been properly accounted for, according to those audits. Lolenzo Poe, board chair of the league, says the league is working to satisfy the auditing requirements. “We are working to assure the county that we have in place an adequate level of accountability that ensures the funds are being spent appropriately,” he said. “We believe the systems and the necessary over- sight are in place. And we are hopeful that the county will see that those controls and systems are in place.” Poe said nobody has suggested that the programs supported by the grant money are not properly funded and doing a good job. More than 800 seniors receive services through the league, which runs a multicul- tural day center, offers support to family caregivers and helps seniors stay in their homes. The league also runs a transporta- tion center that helps more than 780 seniors a month get to medical appointments, go shopping and make other trips. ‘Clearly we want to be as transparent and responsible as we can with public funding’ “We want the outstanding work that goes into this community and these necessary and important services to continue, that we all know are so much needed in North and Northeast Portland,” Poe said. Reporting by Willamette Week’s Nigel Jacquiss said auditors first questioned the league’s finances in 2009, but the problems were never resolved. And promised finan- cial controls were not in place in 2010. Those stories also report that Mundy, whose salary at the League is $91,000 a year, has faced financial losses over real-estate investments after the housing market crash. Charles Wilhoite, a certified public accountant, and a managing director with the financial services firm Willamette Management Associates, also serves on the Urban League’s board. Wilhoite says that while the accounts were mixed up, it was because of mistakes, not malfeasance. The wrong receipts were sent to the auditors, he said, but Mundy did not use the league’s credit card for his personal expenses. “Marcus was not doing anything under- hand as regards the funds, or his use of the League credit card,” Wilhoite says. “We will take every step we can to get clear on the expenditures that went through.” A hair salon receipt, for example, widely reported as charged to the Urban League’s credit card, for example, should never have been sent to the auditors because it was not charged to the league’s credit card. “His personal expenses always went on his personal account and never went through the league charge card. I wouldn’t want anyone to think he wasn’t being Marcus Mundy, right, with County Commissioner loretta Smith earlier this year. Defenders praise Mundy’s work. responsible with league funds, because that’s not the case.” Wilhoite said the board has been working to clear up the confusion over the expenses, and will deliver a full accounting to the county by the end of this week. He says the discrepancies have above-board explana- tions. “Clearly we want to be as transparent and responsible as we can with public funding,” he said. “From my perspective it’s a matter of making sure we are consistently follow- ing our own controls.” Kayse Jama, executive director of the Center for Intercultural organizing, issued a statement Monday in support of the Urban League. “Over the past 5 years, CIO and the Urban League have collaborated on a diverse array of projects which have highlighted their enormous positive impact for our state’s African-American community, immigrants and refugees, and communities of color more broadly,” Jama says. “It would be hard to identify an organization of advocates and community leaders that is more tenacious, more passionate, and more effective in their work. “Since 2007, we have worked together to ensure that the many efforts toward health care reform in Oregon have been inclusive, equitable, and culturally competent. As partners in the city’s Diversity and Civic Leadership program, CIO and the Urban League have worked together to train hun- dreds of grassroots leaders, and then mobi- lize those leaders as advocates and organiz- ers within their communities. Most recently, we worked within a diverse coalition to cre- ate an Office of Equity and Humans Rights in the City of Portland. In every one of these efforts, the dedication and community- focused nature of the Urban League has shone through. “As an advocate for communities of color, the Urban League of Portland has embodied social justice values. CIO stands with the Urban League, and we look for- ward to the many collaborations to come, in the effort to make Oregon an inclusive place for all.” The board has appointed Quentin Strode, former U.S. Bank executive, as interim president and is starting the search for a new leader. Strode said he expects his appoint- ment to last a couple of weeks at most, since he is in the midst of moving to San Diego. “I do think there is great work being done here,” he said. “It is unfortunate that some common sense things just were not fol- lowed.” three times its size. And Strange World is getting the word out with shows and mix- tapes featuring some of the best of the Northwest. “People are stepping up to make the industry look this way. We have music from pop to gangsta rap to swag. We’re not into promoting violence, but it’s serious hip hop with finesse,” Shaun said. “Our style is meant to be in bright lights.” “We can bring a party atmos- phere to any venue. And we have no trouble, and it’s just a good night for everyone. “ Next up for a video release through Strange World will be M-Ei8hty. At just 25, he’s been rapping since he was 14. “I bring a little bit of swag to the table,” he said. “I try to make street music without the violence. My punch lines are funny and my own family don’t know how hard I can get.” Find out how hard M-Ei8hty- can get along with Quiz, Free Agentz, and more, Dec. 17 at Dodge City Bar and Grill, 4250 East 4th Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Contact Blacc Shaun at Strange World: 360- 910-1789 Candyman Blacc Shaun Check Out The Skanner Turn-the- Pages WebPaper www.theskanner.com home page: click the ‘Full Print Version Online’ button to view our full newspapers, just as they are printed, on-line. Just click to turn the pages and click to zoom. december 14, 2011 The Portland Skanner Page 13
