Santa Maria Sun / News

Lompoc officials call for criminal grand jury investigation into LHCDC

BY AMY ASMAN

Lompoc City Council member Cecilia Martner and former Lompoc mayor Joyce Howerton recently sent a letter to Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley, asking her to impanel a criminal grand jury to investigate the Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation (LHCDC).

The letter pointed out that a civil grand jury found LHCDC was experiencing financial trouble as early as 2003 and failed to submit financial records to the necessary overseeing bodies.

“It is time to stop talking and take action,” the letter said. “Lompoc has the highest unemployment rate in the county, with many people living just above poverty level. To have an organization whose main purpose is to serve the homeless and the very poor go for years with no investigation of missing records for HUD, State, City and County funds is unconscionable.

“With millions of dollars unaccounted for, shelters closed, low income/no income people being displaced, [and] banks coming in and taking possession of property we believe this goes beyond simple mismanagement and deserves a criminal investigation,” the letter continued. “We believe the community deserves some answers and taxpayers deserve to be reimbursed by or have the satisfaction of punishment of those responsible for the misuses of public funds.”