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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, October 11, 2003

Head Start chief put on leave while finances undergo audit

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

The director of Oahu Head Start, which provides preschool services to low-income families, has been placed on leave while independent auditors investigate allegations of a misuse of federal money for the program.

Roland Gella, Head Start director for 30 years, was put on leave after three letters alleging "fiscal and managerial improprieties" were sent to the lieutenant governor's office, said Robert Piper, deputy chief of staff and general counsel to the lieutenant governor. Piper also is chairman-elect for the Honolulu Community Action Program, or HCAP, which administers Oahu Head Start.

The third letter, which was signed, prompted the lieutenant governor's office to start the inquiry process, Piper said.

After discussions involving officials at HCAP and the regional Head Start branch in San Francisco, all agreed Gella should be placed on paid leave during an audit, Piper said.

"The HCAP director decided we need to get to the truth and find out what happened," he said. "No judgment has been made about Mr. Gella."

Gella, who said he began leave on Monday and is temporarily replaced by assistant director Toni Farm, said the accusations stem from "internal politics" and from "people trying to take over my position."

He objected to the fact that the name was omitted from the copy of the signed letter sent to him.

Piper said the signed letter arrived in August. He would not discuss its allegations except to characterize them as "fiscal and managerial improprieties."

HCAP spokesman Bob Hoffman said yesterday "the agency is doing the right thing" by arranging for an independent audit.

He said various auditing companies were being considered and two would be chosen to do separate managerial and fiscal audits.

The letters also were addressed to the state attorney general, the local office of the FBI and other agencies.

"We hope that everything is cleared, that Head Start is cleared of all accusations," Hoffman said.

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.