Allegations against OEO officials being investigated
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By Louis Porter Vermont Press Bureau - Published: November 24, 2009
MONTPELIER — Allegations against some employees of the state's Office of Economic Opportunity have resulted in an internal investigation and the suspension — with pay — of two employees, according to a state official.
The Office of Economic Opportunity, or OEO, oversees a variety of state programs, including housing and training programs. But it is the part of the office that deals with the state's low-income weatherization programs that is the focus of the inquiry.
Because the investigation is still in its early stages there is a limited amount he can say about it, said Steve Dale head of the Department for Children and Families, which oversees OEO.
"Concerns were expressed to the department about some aspects of the weatherization program," Dale said. "We were concerned enough about the allegations, and saw them as a personnel matter, that we placed any potentially involved persons on leave with pay," Dale said. "Because this is an active personnel investigation I really can't say any more about the allegations."
Two employees of OEO are on leave pending the results of the investigation. The matter first came to the attention of the department about a week and a half ago, Dale said.
"At this time there are no allegation of anything criminal," he added.
"We want to make sure we get it right," Dale said. "We would hope to wrap up this investigation within the next couple weeks."
An employee of the weatherization section of OEO declined to comment about the matter.
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