CLAY POVERTY AGENCY IN TROUBLE

(07/31/2006)
A multi-county anti-poverty agency which serves Clay County was threatened to be taken over by the state, but now the state says it intends to do better oversight.

The embattled Multi-CAP, which administers millions of dollars to low-income families, has been struggling since its former director was convicted of embezzlement five years ago.

The Charleston based nonprofit that helps the poor resisted the state takeover, vowing it has done nothing wrong.

While no one is saying anything illegal occurred, state officials say Multi-CAP spent $143,000 dollars in a way it was not supposed to.

Multi-CAP board President Morgan Gibson of Clay said a take-over is not necessary. While the board welcomes technical assistance from the state, he said it cannot cede control to the state.

Multi-CAP provides low-income people with emergency financial assistance, distributes food, and repairs homes in Kanawha, Boone, Clay, Fayette, and Putnam counties.