Mayor Taveras Calls For ProCAP Director to Resign

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras sent a letter to ProCAP Executive Director Frank Corbishley calling for his immediate resignation siting his “staggering mismanagement” of the agency. Taveras says an audit into The Providence Community Action Program found hundreds of thousands in state and federal dollars meant for various vendors, was instead given to past due accounts.

        Accountant Kenneth Richardson said thousands of dollars were transferred to accounts including Rhode Island Housing, Assistance for Needy Families fund, and other accounts totaling nearly 675,000 dollars, instead of paying vendors.  

         One of the vendors not paid, LIHEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), has even threatened to not renew it's contract if ProCAP doesn't address it's financial issues. The  mayor has said the mismanagement has “undermined ProCAP's mission.” 

         In resonse to the Mayors letter, Frank Corbishley released a statement to the media today stating that the financial allegations against his program are false. Corbishley says, “Mr. Richardson's employees spent less than thirty hours reviewing various financial records at the agency.” He says there are no “missing” funds and that all funds are accounted for. Corbishley says that the Mayors request for his resignation is a move for political gain and an effort to regain control of ProCAP.

        Corbishley has been with ProCAP for twenty years. He says he will fight off the efforts of the Mayor and Chairman of the Board of Directors for ProCAP, Michael Solomon, to keep his position. 

        Mayor Taveras also released three board members from their positions. One of the members let go, is councilman Nicholas Narducci. Narducci served on the board for five and a half years and tells ABC6 the board planned to meet in one week to determine Corbishley's status at ProCAP, but the Mayor stepped in before they could do that. Narducci believes the Mayor brought on new members who will vote Corbishley out of his position. 

        As for when that vote will take place, Chairman Michael Solomon says he will call for an emergency meeting scheduled for Thursday, allowing for 24-hours notice.