Fresh Start executive takes leave
By Jim Dooley
Advertiser Staff Writer
The head of a controversial nonprofit organization in Waipahu has taken a voluntary leave of absence until various investigations of his agency are completed.
Ron Barker, founder and president of Fresh Start Inc., notified the Hawaii Paroling Authority yesterday of his decision to step aside, saying allegations of wrongdoing and publicity about the charges have placed Fresh Start "under a cloud," Paroling Authority administrator Tommy Johnson said.
Fresh Start is a "structured living" facility meant to help prison parolees, probationers and others facing criminal charges deal with problems like substance abuse, anger management and unemployment while transitioning back into society.
Barker said in a letter to the Paroling Authority that his departure, effective yesterday, is meant to "alleviate further fears and anguish" among the residents of Fresh Start, according to Johnson.
The letter said Barker's wife, Norma Jean, who co-founded the program in 1997, will assume control of Fresh Start during Barker's absence.
The Paroling Authority is one of several state agencies that have been looking into Fresh Start. Johnson said parole officers and parole board members have received complaints about unfair treatment of parolees in Fresh Start.
Parolees are no longer being allowed to enter Fresh Start, although those that were there before the state scrutiny began have been allowed to remain. Johnson said the embargo won't be lifted until his agency and others, principally the attorney general's office, complete their investigations of the program.
The attorney general's office is conducting a criminal investigation into allegations that Barker extorted money from Fresh Start residents, family members and friends.
Sterling Lau, an investigator heading up the state probe, said yesterday that it is still under way.
The state Health Department is also looking into whether Fresh Start should be licensed as a healthcare provider or drug treatment facility.
Diane Okumura, a section supervisor with the Office of Health Care Supervision, said yesterday that Fresh Start last week submitted an application for licensure as a "special treatment facility" that can provide therapeutic services for individuals recovering from substance abuse.
The application was submitted by Barker but is incomplete, according to Okumura. The licensing process normally takes three months once all the applicant's paperwork is received, she said.
Okumura was unaware of Barker's decision to take a leave of absence.
The state Adult Probation Division also is investigating the death of a probationer at Fresh Start two days before Christmas last year.
The Barkers couldn't be reached for comment yesterday. But Ron Barker previously denied any wrongdoing, saying he and Fresh Start "have documentation to clear us of all the so-called allegations and we will share it with the appropriate state agencies."
Reach Jim Dooley at jdooley@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2447.
