Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
RIALTO, CA—- During its June 9, 2020 meeting, the Rialto City Council approved the City’s continued federal funding allocation for the Inland Empire Section of the National Council of Negro Women (“IE NCNW”), allowing the long-standing Rialto-based nonprofit to continue to provide career and educational assistance to Rialto youth and young adults.
On February 11, 2020, the City Council authorized a financial audit of all its federal block grants and its state-funded Proposition 47 grant. Additionally, the City Council voted to retain Special Counsel to produce a report looking into possible conflicts of interests and financial entanglements between Mayor Deborah Robertson and IE NCNW, a long-time grant recipient. The City Council expressed concern that Mayor Robertson was a member of IE NCNW and her daughter is currently President of the organization. With the Special Counsel Report (“Report”) completed, the City Council took up the funding item; and after hearing hours of strong community support for IE NCNW, awarded the organization funding for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
IE NCNW cooperated fully and voluntarily in the Special Counsel investigation by providing written answers to questions, as well as corporate and financial records. The Report offered legal guidance and recommendations but was not designed to make a final determination of the issues.
Importantly, the Special Counsel found that Mayor Robertson and her daughter, IE NCNW President Milele Robertson, did not have a “financial interest in the grant.” The Report contained recommendations that the City could follow-up with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, California Attorney General, and the Board of State and Community Corrections to obtain further guidance. Mayor Robertson’s attorney, Allison Bracy, informally consulted with HUD’s regional representative, who did not view the issue as problematic from a conflict-of-interest viewpoint.
Although the Report stated that the arrangement may be an “apparent” conflict under state common law, it concluded that Mayor Robertson had no financial interest in IE NCNW and Milele Robertson received no compensation from IE NCNW. The Report also noted that Mayor Robertson and Milele Robertson may have received a “tangible personal benefit” based on the receipt of grants by IE NCNW. The Report, however, did not explain how either received any type of personal benefit because the funding went to the organization and neither Mayor Robertson nor Milele Robertson obtained any compensation or financial benefit from the funds.
Following the approval of the IE NCNW funding, The Sun newspaper, on June 18, 2020, published an incomplete and misleading article on the Special Counsel Report’s findings, failing to mention that Mayor Robertson decided to recuse herself from the June 9t h vote and, subsequently, the IE NCNW funding was approved.
The June 18th article also failed to mention findings in the Report that several state statute and regulations were not violated by the arrangement. Prior to publishing the article, IE NCNW’s attorney attempted to reach the reporter, Joe Nelson, by telephone, but The Sun reporter did not return the call to get IE NCNW’s viewpoint or comment.
With the City Council’s decision to award IE NCNW grant funding, the service organization will continue to provide career services and educational assistance to Rialto youth and young adults. IE NCNW members also volunteer their time and expertise as well as give financially to support additional activities not covered by the City’s CDBG funding, such as: assisting walk-in residents seeking resources and referrals for assistance programs, job referral and placement, and helping local homeless individuals and families. On a typical day, IE NCNW assists up to 100 people, striving to help them meet basic needs for housing, employment, and food.
IE NCNW membership also holds an annual food drive, giving 50 or more food baskets to Rialto families experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season, as well as offering monetary and in-kind donations to support local victims of domestic abuse.
“On behalf of IE NCNW, I thank everyone who provided support and used their voice to speak to the integrity of our Section and the services we provide through the organization and Bethune Center program. The support speaks volumes of our collective strength when we all come together,” said Milele Robertson, IE NCNW President.
Please address any questions to Willie W. Williams, attorney for IE NCNW, at the number provided.
(P) 909.581.8341 • (F) 909.586.9380
10621 Church Street, Suite 110 • Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Web: www.williewilliomslaw.com • Email: www@williewilliamslaw.com
