2 Pawtucket group homes misspent nearly $200K: Audit

By John Krinjak

Email: jkrinjak@abc6.com

Twitter: @johnkrinjakABC6

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — The Blackstone Valley Youth and Family Collaborative is facing a $182,000 bill from the state. An audit found that’s how much money the pair of Pawtucket group homes misspent.

"This is a travesty," said Rep. Patricia Serpa, chair of the House Oversight Committee. 

The audit found those dollars, from the Department of Children, Youth and Families, were spent on everything from hotel rooms to restaurants–even e-cigarettes. Blackstone’s director, Daniel Brito, gave himself a $26,000 bonus, while underpaying his workers by more than 15%. 

State police are now looking into all of it.

"Just looking at that report, it’s glaring. It’s got ‘investigate me’ written all over it," said Serpa. 

The state has already ended its relationship with Blackstone after an investigation found the pimp involved in a federal sex trafficking case worked at one of the group homes, and was using a Blackstone van to transport girls over state lines for sex.

The probe also found substance abuse and neglect at the home. The boys who lived there never got he services the state was paying for.

"We have many group homes in the state. We spend millions of dollars providing services. Now my gears are turning and I’m wondering how many other kids may be at risk as we speak tonight," said Serpa. 

Serpa says she just spoke to former Behavior Health Director Craig Stenning, who years ago banned Blackstone from doing business with his department, 
due to the poor conditions there. He suggested the DCYF do the same, but that didn’t happen–with boys living there through the beginning of this year.

"Everything that could go wrong seems to have gone wrong there, except that we didn’t have a death. And that’s a miracle," said Serpa. 

ABC6 reached out to the DCYF Thursday night, but we were told the director was not available for an interview. We also tried to reach the director of the Blackstone Valley Collaborative for comment. We have not heard back.

This audit calls for more oversight by the DCYF of group homes like this in the future, but in this case rep Serpa says she doubts the state will ever see the money it’s owed.

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