Federal prosecutors call the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) the largest fraud in US History, while two Fort Pierce non-profit organizations are under scrutiny for taking taxpayer money intended to help those harmed by the coronavirus pandemic.
When the Small Business Administration (SBA) started sending out $800 billion in COVID Relief Plan funds without verifying the applications, fraudsters seized the lucrative "Apply and Sign" loophole.
The money came pouring in - experts say thieves stole $80 billion of the PPP to enrich themselves unjustly. Private businesses and non-profits all participated in the scheme, and last month, 17 Broward County Sheriff's Office employees were charged with defrauding Covid financial relief programs after collectively receiving half a million dollars.
In Fort Pierce, a “Concerned Citizen” reported to The Dish that two area non-profit organizations reported irregularities and in inconsistencies in their PPP loan applications.
In the Image of Christ, Inc. and Save Our Children received federal government paycheck bailouts between 2020-2021, and both have conflicting information in publicly accessed federal documents they filed.
The PPL loan applications and payments have called to question In the Image of Christ Executive Director Hazel Holyman, and Save Our Children Executive Director Kenny Mills. Mills is the husband of School Board Member Donna Mills and father of Federal Magistrate Judge Shaniek Maynard.
On April 30, 2020, In the Image of Christ was approved for a PPP loan of $41,134.57 based on 10 employees. According to their tax return, that same year, Holyman paid herself a
salary of $41,760.00.
The tax return further indicates that In the Image of Christ had $407,224.00 in expenses in 2020 and disclosed that the organization does business with Holyman's sister, Shelia St. Louis. A check with the Florida Division of Corporations reveals that St. Louis owns Alpah and Omega Consulting Services.
Ten months after their first Covid handout, In the Image of Christ received another PPP loan of $62,350. This time they claimed 20 employees.
The federal government forgave both loans granted to In the Image of Christ.
"It seems odd that the in the Image of Christ received a PPP loan that is nearly identical to Hollyman's salary,” Community Activist and Sweeties Owner Rick Reed said. "With the world on Covid-shutdown how did they double their employees?”
At Save Our Children, Kenny Mills pays his wife, Donna Mills, $211 an hour to work for the organization.
According to IRS records, Donna works only 2 hours a week and receives an annual compensation of $21,965.00.
Save Our Children received a 2020 PPP loan for $37,500.00, with the federal government later forgiving
65% of the loan.
"A School Board Member who is paid $200 an hour to work for a non-profit organization her husband serves as Executive Director at should be ashamed of herself," Reed said. "Dr. Mills should spend her two hours a week working to take remedial training in ethics."
Citizens are now questioning if PPP loans to In the Image of Christ and Save Our Children were used to pay family members' salaries.
The frequency of non-profit fraud can vary depending on various factors such as the size of the organization, the nature of its operations, and the level of oversight and governance in place. However, studies have shown that non-profit fraud is a real with estimates suggesting that it could cost the sector billions of dollars each year.
It is important for non-profit organizations to be aware of the risk of fraud and take steps to mitigate it, such as implementing strong internal controls, conducting regular audits, and providing training to staff and volunteers.
Non-profits should also consider not paying board members or family of board members to avoid conflicts of interest.
Just before being named First Responder of the Year, a Fort Pierce Police Officer ranted on social media, having some question his fitness for duty.
The St. Lucie County Hundred Club gave Officer Damian Spotts the award on October 10th, but days before, Spotts was pressed about companies using prerecorded messages when you call them. On October 5th, Spotts posted on his Facebook page that he was "F$@#%%@ TIRED OF THESE STUPID F%@#ING companies who are so EFFIING scared to talk to someone on the phone."
The overly aggressive language seems out of character for a public servant, let alone First Responder of the Year.
Say nothing of the fact that Spotts appears in full police uniform in front of a marked Fort Pierce Police car in his profile picture.
In a May 2021 Accreditation Case Report,The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) noted that Police Officer’s behavior while using Social Media platforms as private citizens may “impair, impede, or affect public perceptions of the agency, efficacy of agency operations, or harmonious work environments.”
“This Flunky, that serves as the Police Chief’s Doy-Boy is an embarrassment to hard-working men and women who put the uniform on to protect us, ” Community Activist Sweeties Owner Rick Reed said.
“Instead of getting an award, he should try to solve a case and make an arrest that leads to a conviction.”
accusations first came to light in February, when former Fort Pierce City Human Resources Director Kevin Browning received a disturbing voicemail from a female caller suggesting that Mimms was stealing time from the city.
The voicemail was obtained by The Dish through a Public Records Request, and it added fuel to the fire of rumors that had been circulating City Hall for some time. Mimms has not yet publicly responded to these allegations, and it remains to be seen if he will face any consequences for his actions.
However, the recent discovery of a photograph showing Mimms in a white tank top outside his friend, Derrick Johnson’s home has added
questions about how much time Mimms is spending outside of his official duties. Johnson serves as the Deputy Director of Fort Pierce Public Works.
Stealing time from the city is a serious accusation, and it is important for all public officials to be transparent and accountable for their actions. The citizens of Fort Pierce deserve to know that their tax dollars are being used appropriately and that their City Officials are acting in their best interests.
As this story continues to develop, it is likely that more information will come to light. The Dish will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as they become available.
The 79-year-old mayor of Fort Pierce recently filed as a candidate to keep her job after 2024 and is using African-Americans as props for her campaign.
In a "Message from the Mayor" video, she sent to supporters on October 25th, Hudson is shown standing with a group of African-American kids. She also started the school year off by taking a picture with an African American female student at "Tunnels of Hope” on the first day of school.
But after Fort Pierce Church leaders voiced concern over new state policies limiting the teaching of Black History, the Mayor remained silent.
"You can't refuse to stand with our Black Community and then use their kids as a campaign prop," Community Activist and Sweeties Owner Rick Reed said. "This is the same lady that said our City is safe after the MLK Day Mass shooting in Fort Pierce."
The Mayor also remained silent after the MLK Day Mass Shooting. She never called Nakita Bryant, the mother of a young lady killed during the shoot-
Even though the Mayor's latehusband frequently used derogatory racial slurs to describe AfricanAmericans, the Mayor claims she is for their community.
"If the Mayor is truly for the African -American community, stop taking pictures with them and start speaking to them and speaking up for them," Reed says.
