Many Minneapolis residents are appalled after learning an audit of the non-profit Community Action of Minneapolis found corruption and misuse of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars by leaders on luxurious trips to Palm Beach, spa treatments, bonuses, and even a personal car loan. (Star Tribune, September 22, 2014)
I am appalled not only that the Chief Executive of Community Action, Bill Davis, spent money meant for the needy on themselves, but also that no members of Community Action's Board of Directors claimed to have been aware of this -- or if they were, did not take action or bring it to the public's attention.
My opponent, Representative Keith Ellison, should not think that his claim to have never actually attended a Board meeting, or his abrupt resignation from the Board just yesterday (only after the news became public), in any way exonerates him from the responsibility that taxpayer funds were used fraudulently.
Instead of working on behalf of low-income constituents in the Fifth Congressional District, Rep. Ellison continues to focus his attention elsewhere. I challenge him to divulge who he appointed to serve as "alternate" on the Community Action board, and if that person benefitted in any way with taxpayer dollars promised to serve the poor. This isn't about party affiliation, it's about responsibility and accountability. Minneapolis residents deserve answers immediately.