Milwaukee Common Council President Jóse G. Pérez Calls For Accountability Of Housing Authority Administrators After Audit By HUD Found Millions Of Dollars Unaccounted Or Missing

Alderman Pérez says, the Milwaukee Housing Authority must be brought to account after HUD found more than $3M unaccounted or missing, according to several HUD audits.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 20, 2023

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Alderman Jóse G. Pérez, the President of the Common Council released a statement saying that the Housing Authority of The City of Milwaukee (HACM) administrators should be held to accountable after several HUD audits found millions of dollars were mismanaged including thousands of dollars spent on HACM credit cards by managers of multiple developments unaccounted and lacked any record of the expenditures, according to HUD audits.

HUD rated HACM with 26, one of the lowest rates given to a non-profit housing authority in the country for incompetent management and a lack of fundamental accountability of federal funds.

On Monday, September 25, 2023, the Steering and Rules Committee will take up an ordinance that accomplishes this goal by directing the Department of Neighborhood Services to inspect and, if necessary, cite the HACM for violations of our ordinances. It is well past time the city's second largest landlord play by the same rules as everyone else, Ald. Pérez indicated.

Ald. Pérez in a press release also says, the public release of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development's review of the HACM's Housing Choice Voucher program has made clear how dysfunctional the authority's operations have become, and underscores the need for action, such as that in the proposed ordinance. The report is a damning account of inefficiency, incompetence, and a fundamental lack of accountability, all involving public funds intended to benefit some of our most vulnerable residents. Recommendations were made for improvements that were, it seems, never carried out. I have written to the author of this review to ask how the HACM will be held accountable for not following previous recommendations and what will be done to ensure they are followed in the future.

At the end of last year, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Willie Hines, the Executive Director and Secretary of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee received a 47-page report (audit) indicating that HACM allegedly was "at risk of serious fraud, waste and abuse," according to the HUD report. (47-page report by HUD at link: https://tinyurl.com/5czw2pft)

Hines earns at least $240,000 in annual salary.

A second HUD report in April found that HACM's bank statements and internal booking records showed more than $3M in discrepancies, HACM staff could not produce receipts for $49,876.16 in expenditures by HACM credit cards. HUD also found that HACM kept poor record keeping that made it difficult for HUD to determine key financial balances for the Section 8 Program.

HUD assessment rating of Section 8 Programs, if a non-profit housing authority or program scores 60, then it's labeled in "trouble" by HUD raising red flags, leading to further audits by the federal Housing Urban Development agency. HACM received a 28 rate score as a result of the last two audits by HUD.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (JS), HACM attributed the current audit issues to technology upgrades, staffing challenges and the pandemic. (JS full article: https://tinyurl.com/4fwmyphf)

On September 13, 2023, the HACM Board approved $600,000 to contract the accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) for a five-year audit of their Section 8 Program, according to HACM Board meeting records.

The HACM Board of Commissioners is composed of 7 members who are appointed by the mayor of Milwaukee and ratified by the Milwaukee Common Council, two of those Commission positions are reserved for HACM tenants who have yet to be appointed.

The four current HACM Commissioners are Sherri Reed Daniels, Chairwoman; Brooke Vandeberg, Vice-chair; Irma Yépez-Klassen and Darien Luckett, according to the HACM website.

On March 26, 2023, during a public meeting held by Common Ground, the residents from the Mitchell Court development raised issues and demanded an investigation of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee after they say they have experienced assault; bedbugs and rats; "lost" rent payments; abusive management;  mold; and no heat. (Full article: https://tinyurl.com/ahhtjhme)

Common Ground has been instrumental in organizing and representing HACM residents for the last several years.

Common Ground, a non-profit organization and its Tenants United campaign are inviting HACM tenants to attend a Milwaukee Common Council Steering and Rules Committee hearing on the Housing Authority's Accountability on Monday at 1:00 p.m. (meet at Rotunda) on September 25, 2023, at City Hall, hearing at room 301-B, 200 E. Wells St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Fela Salinas, Honored As The RHC Latinx Heritage Month 2023 Award Recipient For Her 1970 Educational Activisim Against Enrollment Discriminatory Barrier At UW-Milwaukee

Salinas was instrumental along other educational activists in the 1970's who are credited for eliminating the discriminatory barrier that kept Wisconsin and Milwaukee Latinos from enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 19, 2023

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, the Roberto Hernandez Center (RHC) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) announced that Fela Salinas, is the 2023 RHC-LHM award recipient and will be honored on November 3rd with the Latinx Heritage Month (LHM) Award for her past educational activism and instrumental effort along with other Latino community educational activists that helped eliminate the discriminatory barrier in the 1970's that was practiced and kept Latinos/Hispanics from enrolling at UWM under then Chancellor J. Martin Klotsche at Chapman Hall. "Discriminatory treatment was the norm," cited from Myraid Magazine UWM 1990.

In 1970, there were only 14 Latino students enrolled at UWM, which the majority were from Latin and Central American countries compared to 25,000 Whites students. 

On August 27, 1970, the Latino community under the leadership of Jesus Salas, Roberto Hernandez, Armando Orellana and Ernesto Chacon staged a takeover and sit-in at Chancellor Klotsche's office in Chapman Hall to challenged the university's discriminatory policy that was practiced, and the community's demand for UWM to allow enrollment of Latinos.

Their success in 1970 higher educational movement helped create the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute (SSOI) at UWM, which focused on recruitement, advising and retention of Hispanic university students. The SSOI was later renamed in 1996, the Roberto Hernandez Center and since 1970 thousands of Hispanics have graduated from UWM.

Salinas along with hundreds educational activists participated in the UWM Chancellor Klotsche's office takeover and days that followed of protests until Klotsche finally agreed to allow Latinos to enroll at UWM.

According to LinkedIn, Salinas works as a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration and is currently a volunteer entertainment coordinator for the popular 3-day Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee.

In the academic year for 2021-2022, 512 Latinos graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, according to the RHC website.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA)

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September 16th Mexican Flag Impromptu Waving And Alleged Reckless Driver Jaymie Rosales Hernandez, 23, And Passenger Francisco Sanchez-Parra, 35, Criminally Charged

Hernandez was criminally charged for driving recklessly and endangering safety, fleeing-eluding a police officer and resisting arrest and obstructing police, and Sanchez-Parra was charged for resisting arrest and obstructing an officer during a pursued from S. Chávez Drive by Milwaukee police. Hernandez eventually lost control at the 2600 block of W. National Ave. and crashed into a corner building, the former Candela's Banquet and Convention Facility in the Southside of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 18, 2023

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, Jaymie Rosales Hernandez, 23, was criminally charged with two felony counts for 2nd-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing-eluding a police officer and one misdemeanor count for resisting arrest and obstructing police, and Francisco Sanchez-Parra, 35, was charged with one misdemeanor count for resisting arrest and obstructing an officer during a pursued that began at the 1000 block of S. César E.  Chávez Drive on Saturday,  September 16, 2023 by Milwaukee police. 

Hernandez, if convicted is facing up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines for 2nd-degree recklessly endangering safety; up to 3 years and 6 months in prison and up to $10,000 in fines for fleeing and eluding police; and up to 1 year in jail for resisting and obstructing an officer. A $15,300 cash bail was set for Hernandez.

Sanchez-Parra, if convicted is facing up to 1 year in jail for resisting and obstructing an officer. A $300 cash bail was set of Sanchez-Parra.

Both Hernandez and Sanchez-Parra are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, according to court records.

Police on Saturday attempted to stop Hernandez during a traffic stop on Chávez Drive because two individuals riding in the rear cargo section of his Silverado White truck were acting disorderly, but Hernandez began to zigzag on Chávez Drive to pass vehicles and entered the Family Dollar parking lot and fled from police.

Hernandez sped away from the scene and eventually later lost control at the 2600 block of W. National Ave. and crashed into a corner building, the former Candela's Banquet and Convention Facility in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Police immediately arrived at the crash site and were able to arrest both Hernandez and Sanchez-Parra, the two other individuals riding in the back cargo section fled the scene after the crash. They were not taken into custody. Arrest video: https://youtu.be/BAJBXYqYOKk

More than 7 Milwaukee police supervisors (sergeants) and police officers were at the scene.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA)

HNNUSA: They were not taken into custody. Arrest video: https://youtu.be/BAJBXYqYOKk

Update:

Criminal charges for both suspects still listed as of September 20th and on September 26, a status conference hearing is scheduled at 1:30 p.m., according to court records.

Francisco Sanchez-Parra was released on Tuesday, on a $1,000 signature bond pending hearings and Jaymie Rosales Hernandez cash bail was set at $750, according to court records. Court officials stipulated that both should not contact each other under conditions of bail.

Facebook Removes (Censored) HNNUSA Article About 22 Latino Homicides In Milwaukee, Since January 2023

Facebook is censoring news articles reporting 22 homicides involving Hispanic victims in Milwaukee for 2023.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 14, 2023

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - So far, Facebook (FB) has deliberately censored and removed news articles that report homicides in Milwaukee. FB sent a message to administrators of multiple news pages including a personal account that a Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) article titled "Since January 2023, 20 Hispanic Males Including 3 Minors And 2 Female Latinas Have Been Murdered In Milwaukee" link of article at https://tinyurl.com/3zwmuzn4, was removed because it goes against its community standards.

FB who operates a popular social media has engaged in censoring homicide reporting news articles, but it doesn't remove or censors FB porno page accounts or accounts pertaining to be FB indicating that FB user pages are allegedly in violation of something and provided a link to expose or hack the FB account holder.

FB has a history of violating FB user rights. The FB Meta Platforms Company for profit is based in California and owned by Mark Zuckerberg.

Update: The homicide article by HNNUSA that was removed on September 14, 2023 by Facebook is back on the FB news feed on September 15, 2023 after an appeal was filed.

Milwaukee Police Plan Set To Monitor, Enforce Traffic Laws And Possiblity Confiscate Vehicles For Reckless Driving During Mexican Independence Day Weekend Impromptu Cruising

Captain Pajot from the Southside of Milwaukee Police Department District 2 Station confirmed to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA), police plan set to prevent a mass shooting repeat, congested crowds that block traffic flow and reckless driving during an impromptu flag waving and cruising unorganied celebration in the predominately Latino community.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 12, 2023

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday during a Neighborhood Safety Panel discussion at St. Joseph's Center, located at the 1500 block of S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee Police Captain Patrick Pajot says, a police plan is in place to monitor and prevent any repeat of what occurred on August 19 at around 11:44 p.m. during the Puerto Rican (PR) impromptu flag waving and reckless cruising (driving) celebration at the 1400 block of W. Burnham Street where a mass shooting ignited on Saturday, August 19 at the El Rey Foodmart parking lot. At least, 9 individuals ages 16 to 42 were shot, 6 men including Jóse González, 30, of Milwaukee and 3 women suffered gunshot wounds. Videos of mass shooting at links: https://youtu.be/g7m0JsLDHt0 and https://youtu.be/10wXQh9u6_k

On Sunday, August 20, at around 8:45 p.m., 4 individuals were reported shot at the 1200 of W. Historic Mitchell Street, including the shooter. All the victims, a 29-year-old female, 26-year-old male and a 19-year-old male survived. A 22-year-old male suspect was also injured and later arrested in connection with the shooting.

In an unrelated fatal shooting the same night, Carlos Cruz Sr, 55, was shot around 10:11 p.m. at the 1500 block of W. Bruce Street in the chest and died at the scene, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. Sources say that there was a large gathering on W. Bruce with people in vehicles waving flags and cruising during the PR celebration impromptu gathering in the secluded area. 

A 16-year-old male suspect has been arrested and charged with 1st-degree reckless homicide in Cruz's homicide.

During the last 5 de Mayo 2023 impromptu Mexican flag waving and reckless cruising on Chávez Drive, several shootings were reported and several individuals were arrested near S. Chávez Dr. and W. Scott Street.

One suspect was shot by police and later charged in one of the shooting incidents. Deon Nabors, 17, who is Black was charged on May 10, 2023 with two felony counts for 2nd-degree recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon and use of a machine gun and one misdemeanor count  for possession of a weapon by a person under 18. 

The second suspect arrested, was not charge by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office because police say he was discharging his handgun in self-defense after an unknown suspect fired gunshots at him.

In both shooting incidents in early May, there were hundreds of individuals including police in the street near the reported shooting area.

Captain Pajot also confirmed that most vacation leave of officers have been temporarily suspended, but currently a few are on vacation. Video of Captain Pajot and Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa responding to questions about any plan in place to prevent another mass shooting during an impromptu cultural flag waving, crowd gatherings and reckless driving at link: https://youtu.be/S4UB-8M4ayc

Pajot didn't indicate, if additional officers from different police district stations in Milwaukee would be available to monitor the anticipated Mexican Independence Day, September 16 impromptu flag waving and reckless driving in the Southside including large gatherings of individuals blocking traffic. Pajot did indicate that all traffic laws will be enforced by his officers including the possibility of confiscating vehicles for reckless driving.

Captain Pajot also says that he wants everyone to enjoy and have a great time at this weekend's Mexican Independence Day festival and to be mindful about other citizens out there and enjoy the night, but keep it non-violent. Milwaukee police officers will be at crowd gatherings and be stationed at areas where we had problems before, we are also working with the S. César E. Chávez Drive BID 38 to provide an outdoor walk-in market next year or in the future. This year, we didn't have enough time to plan a closure of Chávez Drive for an outdoor family market. We want everyone to enjoy the day and have a great time. Pajot confirmed, that impromptu flag waving parading or cruising is fine in the district, as long as staying safe, keep it eventful and individuals should have control of their vehicles when burning rubber and lookout for people around them when driving.

Alderwoman Zamarripa also said that she attended Mexican Fiesta 2023 and the concert of Los Bukis, which was packed and no incidents occurred during the 3-day Mexican Fiesta in the community and hopes this upcoming weekend with the Mexican Independence Parade and Festival at the United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) happening on Saturday in the patking lot, no incidents of reckless driving and shootings occur in the community.

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Yasidra Garcia From Milwaukee Claims Her 5-year-old Daughter With Down Syndrome Has Suffered From Blood Lead Levels Of Up To 15 Micrograms Per Deciliter In Southside Duplex

Garcia says the City of Milwaukee failed to clear all the lead paint contamination from her apartment including the entire duplex and didn't informed her about alternative options to avoid consuming fresh water from toxic lead lateral pipe connections from the City's mainline and how to replace them, according to Freshwater For Life Action Coalition (FLAC) who will be having a press conference at her apartment.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 10, 2023

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, the Freshwater For Life Action Coalition (FLAC) will a press conference at Yasidra Garcia's home, 2936 S. 9th Place on September 12, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. to highlight the gross negligence and shabby work performed at her rented duplex home.

Her daugther has tested over the years with blood lead level highs reaching 16.9 micrograms per deciliter.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that any amount of lead in the blood above 3.5 micrograms per deciliter is detrimental to health. CDC, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Milwaukee Health Department all state that no amount of lead is safe, according to FLAC.

FLAC released Garcia's following statement to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) on Sunday, she said, "It took the City Health Department 2 years to start helping. Everything in the home has high levels of lead. The city only paid to abate the apartment and not the entire dwelling. The contractor did not complete the job because 'it was not on work order'."

The FLAC press release didn't indicate, if Garcia will file a civil lawsuit against the City for her child's high level of lead in her blood.

To check if you home or business is connected to a freshwater lead service line (lead toxic laterals) at: https://city.milwaukee.gov/water/WaterQuality/LeadandWater/Lead-Service-Line-Records

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Since January 2023, 20 Hispanic Males Including 3 Minors And 2 Female Latinas Have Been Murdered In Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Medical Examiner's Office reported that 20 Hispanic males including 3 minors ages 14, 15, 16 and 2 Hispanic females have been murdered in Milwaukee, all were fatally shot by handguns.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

September 9, 2023

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Both the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office reported 22 homicides of Hispanic/Latino victims who were fatally shot in the City of Milwaukee, since January 2023 involving handguns.

On August 24, 2023, Bryant A. Pinacho-Herrnandez, 20, was found by police fatally shot at the 2400 block of W. Nash Street. No suspects have been charged in this homicide case.

On August 20, 2023, Carlos M. Cruz Sr., 55, was fatally shot by 16-year-old male suspect who was taken into custody by police on September 1st, and was charged with 1st-degree reckless homicide in connection with an altercation with Cruz during the Puerto Rican impromptu flag waving and reckless cruising celebration at the 1500 block of W Bruce Street. Apparently, Cruz was almost ran over by a vehicle as he walked in the street waving a Puerto Rican flag. He confronted one of the passengers of the vehicle and a 16-year-old suspect who was also in the vehicle fatally shot Cruz in the chest.

Police were able to locate an outdoor video surveillance footage that led to the vehicle registered owner who told police that his daughter was driving the vehicle when Cruz was murdered. His daughter identified the 16-year-old male suspect who was a passenger in her vehicle and he was later taken into custody.

On August 19, 2023, Victor E. Basmirez, 21, was found fatally shot at the 1100 block of N. Water Street in Milwaukee. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On August 5, 2023, two men were fatally shot at the 1500 block of S. 15th Place. They were identified as Kenneth Omar Irizarry-Prado, 25, and Miguel A. Velez, 21. So far, no one has been charged in the homicides.

On July 27, 2023, Gabriel L. Heredia, 39, was found by police fatally shot at the 1200 block of W. Burnham St. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On July 25, 2023, Raul De Jesus Rios, 16, was found fatally shot at the 2700 block of N. 33rd Street. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On July 13, 2023, Orlando Marcelino Rodriguez-Rivera, 33, was found fatally shot at the 1900 block of S. 23 Street. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On July 8, 2023, Oscar Medina, 43, was located at the 1500 block of S. 26 Street fatally wounded. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On July 2, 2023, Carlos E. López, 19, was found fatally shot at the 2800 block of W. Burnham Street. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On June 28, 2023, Pasqual Nava, 26, was fatally shot at the 2800 block of N. 33rd Street. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On June 5, 2023, Luis D. Fonseca, 28, was fatally shot at the 1300 of W. Holt St. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On May 5, 2023, Pablo César Bermudez, 42, was fatally shot at the 5800 block of W. Forest Home Ave. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On April 22, 2023, Irayan Ivan Rodriguez, 22, was fatally shot at the 2200 block of S. 15th Street. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On March 27, 2023, Daniel Rodriguez-Pérez, 20, was fatally shot at the 3100 block of N. 21st Street. A suspect has been charged in the homicide.

On March 1, 2023, José Monarrez, 15, was fatally shot at the 2100 block of S. 6 Street. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On February 26, 2023, Aliyah Marie Pérez, 26, was found fatally shot at the 5300 block of S. 26 Street. The 28-year-old Elijah D. Combs in this case committed suicide shortly after an attempted stop by police.

On February 20, 2023, Luis E. Conde-Hilario, 20, was fatally shot at the 2200 block of S. 15th Street. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On February 13, 2023, Jesús M. Quinonez-Carrasquillo, 24, was located by police fatally shot at the 1900 block of S. Congo Ave. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

On January 26, 2023, Jeanette N. Jimenez, 59, was fatally shot at the 2100 block of S. 15th Street after intervening in a domestic violence incident. 22-year-old Darren Williams, was convicted on July 27, 2023 of 1st-degree intentional homicide and party to s crime in connection with Jimenez's homicide. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 26, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Safety Building room 316 in Milwaukee.

On January 21, 2023, Sebastian Florentino, 14, was fatally shot at the 2600 block of N. 52 Street. Charges were filed against an unidentified 14-year-old male suspect.

On January 8, 2023, Rigoberto De La Torre, 20, was fatally shot at the 3800 block of W. Morgan Ave. So far, no one has been charged in the homicide.

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