A federal grand jury has indicted the former CEO and IT director of Saint Francis Ministries for scheming to defraud the foster care provider of at least $4.7 million in fake invoices.
Saint Francis Ministries said statements published in an Aug. 12 story are “inaccurate” and “false,” but wouldn’t identify specific statements in question. The nonprofit also wouldn’t answer questions for this story.
The former CEO, chief counsel and IT director for Saint Francis Ministries used their positions to enrich themselves and their friends as the charity neared financial insolvency, according to allegations made in state and federal lawsuits.
Federal prosecutors moved to seize $700,000 in a civil asset forfeiture case alleging a former IT employee defrauded Saint Francis Ministries of millions of dollars while the nonprofit was under contract with the state of Kansas to provide foster care and adoption services.
Former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert Smith exploited a lack of financial controls and board oversight to drain the nonprofit’s resources on an IT project and escalating management expenses that included use of taxpayer funds for personal travel, liquor and entertainment.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Lawmakers say the death of an autistic boy in state custody demonstrates the need for more accountability within the Kansas foster care system.
