TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner issued the following statement today on the Department of Human Services audit of the New Horizon Treatment Services facility. The audit was highlighted in a recent article in the Trentonian and brought to light details of misconduct at the New Horizon Treatment Service facility.
“I have real concerns about the results of the audit. The findings in the report were both disturbing and frustrating. This is a facility that is designed to help people who are battling addiction, people who are vulnerable and seeking the help they need to get their lives back on track. Sadly, it appears some people who were sent to a treatment facility to get help for a drug problem were never cared for.
“The report also alleges misconduct in a host of areas. Workers at the New Horizon Treatment Services facility were reportedly involved in many questionable purchases. The agency paid up to $18,000 for a holiday party and reported it as materials and supplies. According to the report, officials at New Horizon Services were hiding unused state money in bank accounts. In addition, the facility provided a $5,000 cash loan to its board president, and the executive director had a car allowance, with no documentation that it was used for business purposes.
“This facility used and abused state money and they must be held accountable for their actions. I am asking the Department of Human Services to expand their investigation into this facility. The initial review was done from 2012-2013, but I believe a more in-depth investigation will be beneficial in finding the truth behind what appears to be a dishonest organization. Furthermore, I am asking the Attorney General to look into any criminal wrongdoing that may have been occurred during this time.
“This is not about the money, but getting our money’s worth. This is about the people of our state who are seeking help and the care they deserve, and to find out that they weren’t getting it from the place whose sole purpose was to provide it is an outrage and it’s unacceptable.”