The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors voted to reallocate nearly $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) coronavirus relief funds from CASA — a local organization that helps immigrants new to the U.S. following an audit of the county revealing improper expenditure (not affiliated with the local non-profit Court Appointed Special Advocates).
Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin sought a 90-day deferral, but the motion failed. Franklin pushed to give $2 million to CASA in 2022 to build an immigrant welcome center in Woodbridge.
According to information obtained by FOIA, the county hired RSM to audit CASA and found $306,000 in expenditures submitted by CASA for reimbursement; $ 197,000, or 64% of the expenditures, was deemed unallowable by RSM. The specific details of the testing, findings, and observations were communicated to CASA leadership by the County in August 2023 and February 2024.
Due to challenges in adhering to required procurement guidelines and a slow rate of providing eligible expenditures, with only approximately $109,000 expended out of nearly 20 months since July 2022, the recommendation is to reallocate $1.5 million of the CASA allocation to other pressing, ARPA-eligible programs, projects, and services.
Franklin motioned to defer the reallocation to allow CASA and county staff time to address concerns. However, Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir opposed the motion, highlighting the urgent need to comply with federal guidelines and deadlines for fund allocation. Ultimately, the motion failed with a vote of 2-5, leading to further discussions on fund reallocation.
Subsequently, Franklin proposed an amendment to allow CASA to retain $800,000 of the funds, citing an updated plan submitted by the organization. However, concerns were raised regarding the eligibility of specific organizations to receive funds directly. County Executive Christopher Shorter clarified the process, indicating that funds were distributed through the Northern Virginia Food Rescue to maximize impact and adherence to federal guidelines.
Amid deliberations, Gainesville District Supervisor Weir proposed a revised motion that won the day: Reallocate about $2 million, providing $190,000 to the Northern Virginia Food Rescue for food distribution and related administrative costs, allocating $100,000 for the community to purchase additional food inventory for community feeding, and supporting the Community Safety Initiative with $270,400 for the development of community-centric safety strategies.
Additionally, $100,000 is allocated to the Human Services Alliance of Prince William County, emphasizing community violence prevention and intervention. The motion also involves transferring and budgeting an additional $1.4 million to the Capital Projects Fund for additional costs associated with the courthouse renovation project in Manassas.
Franklin, and Neabsco Distirct Supervisor Victor Angry voted no.
Several CASA members sat in the Board Chambers as the elected officials deliberated. “I would simply say, reach out to our offices and please come by and have conversations of where we go from here,” said Franklin before they exited the room.
Margaret Franklin received $5,125 from CASA and seeks the Democratic Party nomination for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District. Virginia’s 7th District, including eastern Prince William County, Stafford County, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg City, King George, Caroline, Culpeper, Madison, Greene, and Orange counties. The seat is held by Abigail Spanberger (D), who is instead running to replace Glenn Youngkin as Virginia Governor in 2025.
Newly-seated At-large Chair DeShundra Jefferson said her vote to reallocate the funding was not a political decision. “This is a policy vote, it is not a political vote. And I have tried very hard to keep politics out of the board chambers. I respect the work that Casa is doing, and I respect your mission,” said Jefferson. “However, I will be voting to reallocate the money simply because I have concerns about the timeframe. Again, this is not how I want to start a relationship, but we will continue to work together.”
“I support CASA. I’m proud to have the welcome center in my district, and I’m proud of the work that CASA does for our community. Again, as was said before, these are federal dollars that have very specific uses for them,” said Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye, who collected $55,794 in campaign donations from the organization.
CASA has provided campaign donations to only progressive Democrats in state and local politics in Virginia. Tuesday’s vote comes amid a history of tension between CASA and certain board members, stemming from contentious issues such as immigration policies.
On June 16, 2020, a Board of County Supervisors meeting was notably disrupted by CASA members, marking a significant moment of tension between the organization and Republican board members, including Supervisor Yesli Vega and former Supervisor Jeanine Lawson. CASA members said Vega — the first elected Hispanic member of the county board —  “is the devil,” and told her “zip your mouth,” following Vega’s support for the federal 287(g) program at the county jail that had been used to identify illegal aliens charged with a crime.
The Prince William County Government is reconsidering the allocation of $2 million in federal coronavirus relief funds. This reevaluation follows concerns over the initial decision to allocate these funds to CASA. This nonprofit organization supports working-class communities (not affiliated with the local Court Appointed Special Advocates). The funds were intended to construct an immigrant welcome center in Prince William County.
Details of the proposed reallocation include:
- Allocating an additional $190,000 to the Northern Virginia Food Rescue for food distribution and administrative costs.
- Setting aside $60,000 for the County to enhance food inventory for community feeding programs.
- Directing $270,400 towards the development of strategies for community safety, with a focus on violence prevention and intervention.
- Reassigning $1,466,592 to cover extra costs associated with the Judicial Center Renovation project.
Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin, who played a key role in the original allocation to CASA on June 7, 2022, has been a vocal advocate for utilizing the county’s $90 million in ARPA funds for a variety of community benefits, including support for Latino broadcasting and the Capital Area Food Bank in Lorton.
However, following a county audit that allegedly revealed mismanagement of the allocated funds by CASA, there is now a resolution to retrieve these funds. Despite the lack of public documentation detailing the audit’s findings, sources close to the matter suggest County Executive Christopher Shorter aimed to protect CASA’s reputation by not mentioning its name in the related February 20, 2024, agenda item.
Responding to these allegations, CASA’s Executive Director, Gustavo Torres, told Insidenova.com the organization has a history of responsible financial management, as evidenced by annual independent audits.
The discussion around fund allocation has been contentious. On June 16, 2020, a Board of County Supervisors meeting was notably disrupted by CASA members, marking a significant moment of tension between the organization and Republican board members, including Supervisor Yesli Vega and former Supervisor Jeanine Lawson.
CASA members said Vega — the first elected Hispanic member of the county board —  “is the devil,” and told her “zip your mouth,” following Vega’s support for the federal 287(g) program at the county jail that had been used to identify illegal aliens charged with a crime.
CASA’s actions during this period have influenced perceptions of its relationship with local government and its impact on community politics. The organization consistently donates to the campaigns of progressive Democrats.
Campaign donations from CASA to state and local politicians include significant contributions to figures such as former Attorney General Mark Herring ($291,667) and former Gov. Ralph Northam ($82,950) at the state level, with Prince William County politicians like Jennifer Carroll Foy ($275,804 across various campaigns) and Elizabeth Guzman ($264,935 across campaigns) also benefiting.
Margaret Franklin, who received $5,125 from CASA, seeks the Democratic Party nomination for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District. Virginia’s 7th District, including eastern Prince William County, Stafford County, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg City, King George, Caroline, Culpeper, Madison, Greene, and Orange counties.
As the debate over the allocation of these federal funds continues, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors plans to address the issue at their meeting on February 20, 2024, at the county government center in Woodbridge.
State Level campaign donations from CASA since 2019
- Mark Herring, former Virginia Attorney General: $291,667
- Ralph Northam, former Virginia Governor: $82,950
Prince William County campaign donations from CASA since 2019
- Carroll Foy for Governor – Jennifer: $170,383
- Carroll Foy for Senate – Jennifer: $53,656
- Carroll Foy for Delegate – Jennifer: $51,765
- Elizabeth Guzman for Delegate: $148,318
- Elizabeth Guzman for Senate: $115,617
- Josh King for Prince William County Sheriff – Joshua: $71,255
- Danica Roem for Senate – Danica: $57,753
- Kenny Boddye for Prince William County Board of Supervisors: $55,794
- Briana Sewell for Delegate: $52,340
- Candi King for Delegate: $17,556
- Josh Thomas for Delegate: $12,203
- Deshundra Jefferson for Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman: $11,904
- Michelle Maldonado for Delegate: $5,713
- Margaret Franklin for Prince William County Board of Supervisors: $5,125
- Andrea Bailey for Prince William Supervisor: $3,540
- Victor Angry for Prince William County Supervisor: $1,450
Fredericksburg and Stafford County area campaign donations from CASA since 2019
- Joel Griffin for State Senate: $102,109
- Joshua Cole for Delegate: $17,660
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