George Sheldon, the former director of the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS), mismanaged the agency by improperly hiring a consultant, making improper payments and violating vehicle use policies, according to the state’s Office of Executive Inspector General (OEIG).
The findings, published by the Edgar County Watchdogs on their Illinois Leaks website, include ethical violations by DCFS and the consultant, Igor Anderson.
The OEIG report says that besides illegally hiring Anderson, Sheldon paid him $1,500 even though Anderson did not engage in any substantive work, serving only as a driver. After Anderson’s employment contract was terminated, Sheldon made several payments to Anderson for airfare and other items, the report says.
According to the findings: Anderson drove state vehicles without a valid driver’s license; he had received a DUI in Florida and failed to follow court requirements for a restricted license. He also failed to reveal his license status to DCFS. In addition, Anderson billed for hours when he was on vacation. Sheldon improperly approved hours that Anderson was not working, including a trip with Sheldon to Michigan in October and a Thanksgiving holiday in Florida.
Sheldon also was found to have improperly awarded a no-bid contract to Five Points Technology Group. He had a financial relationship with a Five Points subcontractor. The OIEG also investigated several no-bid contracts that were submitted as grants.
Sheldon left DCFS on May 31, when he took the Florida Coalition for Children CEO position in Florida.
The OEIG report recommended that the agency take appropriate action regarding Sheldon, as well as not rehire Anderson and continue to pursue him for repayment for the hours paid but not worked.
