Earlier today, this website broke the news of $3.8 million in missing money at the S.C. Department of Probation Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS), one of the chronically mismanaged agencies in S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s cabinet.
This money was earmarked for new agents, but a recently released audit from the S.C. Legislative Audit Council (SCLAC) – which was previewed in our exclusive report – revealed that SCDPPPS didn’t hire any new agents.
“We reviewed agency expenditures and human resources data but did not find an increase in staff,” the audit noted, adding that “a portion of these funds were used to increase the agency’s cash reserve.”
Wait … increase its “cash reserve?” SCDPPPS is slated to receive an additional $2 million in its FY 2013-14 budget … why would it need to increase its “cash reserve?”
And more importantly … where did the rest of the money go?
Our network of sources has some ideas …
According to SCDPPPS staffers, the agency’s leader – a Barack Obama-loving liberal named Kela Thomas – has been blowing money like it’s going out of style on all sorts of things. Among them? Brand new Chevy Tahoes (which start at around $40,000). In fact several of these vehicles were photographed at the agency’s Devine Street headquarters in downtown Columbia, S.C. today.
Take a look …
(Click to enlarge)
Another source at the agency tells FITS that Thomas redecorated her office within the last month, spending an untold amount of state funds on new furniture.
Wow …
Guess we know where at least some of that “missing” cash went.
Kela Thomas has some serious explaining to do … yet again. In the past she has blocked common sense consolidation plans – including a proposal offered Haley – and has also allegedly engaged in racist hiring practices. This flagrant misappropriation of taxpayer resources ought to be the final nail in her coffin …
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95 comments
$200,000 worth of hearses?
Dark tinted windows and lots of room there. Wonder if any hanky-panky is going on…….
They are called ” Nikki mobiles”!
Kela the steala.
Sailor – that reminds me—–
Did you know about the hooker in Charleston who screwed so many sailors that her hips went in and out with the tide?
Just caught this before I signed off::: Is Thomas related in any way to McBride?
$200,000 worth of hearses?
Dark tinted windows and lots of room there. Wonder if any hanky-panky is going on…….
They are called ” Nikki mobiles”!
Kela the steala.
Sailor – that reminds me—–
Did you know about the hooker in Charleston who screwed so many sailors that her hips went in and out with the tide?
Just caught this before I signed off::: Is Thomas related in any way to McBride?
Sounds like Elinor Kitzman, Fred Carter and Rick kelly when in charge of the B&C Board.
Sounds like Elinor Kitzman, Fred Carter and Rick kelly when in charge of the B&C Board.
If these are state cars, why don’t they have SC gov license plates?
I was wondering the same thing. Maybe they are for undercover DPPPS agents. Or maybe the top brass is scared of letting everyone know that such a nice ride actually a government vehicle.
Didn’t Templeton at DHEC get a Tahoe, too, to drive back and forth in from Charleston because she didn’t want to move to Columbia?
I wish they could give them Pintos.
Are you making a cruelty joke?
Are we talking Pintos like horses or are we talking Pintos like cars
Cause if you are talking horses then by damn give the fucking nag a nag
Yes, indeed.
Yes, but now these black vehicles are so inconspicuous they are now conspicuous, and it seems that most law enforcement agencies use them. They may useful at night to sneak up on someone -” oh, hi there, Larry lives three doors down on the right, and yeah, he’s home.”
Law enforcement is exempt from running State Government tags. The SC Dept of Commerce, House and Senate Security (Taxi service) also.
It is a widely abused practice.
Damn. I’d love to have one of those Tahoes…
If these are state cars, why don’t they have SC gov license plates?
I was wondering the same thing. Maybe they are for undercover DPPPS agents. Or maybe the top brass is scared of letting everyone know that such a nice ride is actually a government vehicle.
Didn’t Templeton at DHEC get a Tahoe, too, to drive back and forth in from Charleston because she didn’t want to move to Columbia?
I wish they could give them Pintos.
Are you making a cruelty joke?
Are we talking Pintos like horses or are we talking Pintos like cars
Cause if you are talking horses then by damn give the fucking nag a nag
Yes, indeed.
Yes, but now these black vehicles are so inconspicuous they are now conspicuous, and it seems that most law enforcement agencies use them. They may useful at night to sneak up on someone -” oh, hi there, Larry lives three doors down on the right, and yeah, he’s home.”
Law enforcement is exempt from running State Government tags. The SC Dept of Commerce, House and Senate Security (Taxi service) also.
It is a widely abused practice.
Damn. I’d love to have one of those Tahoes…
Optional wheels on these, black ones as opposed to the standard chrome.
Optional wheels on these, black ones as opposed to the standard chrome.
“Thomas…. has blocked.….consolidation plans – including a proposal offered Haley”
Pardon me for being late to the Circus but I thought one of the reasons for placing Agencies under the Governor was so the Governor could eliminate duplication of services/programs and save taxpayers money using consolidation without having to seek and obtain Legislative approval
What’s that. Speak up. I can’t hear you. Say that again
Oh, the Gypsy Queen refused to kiss black booty so black booty told GQ to kiss off. Sorry, told GQ to kiss her black shiny ass.
Now, that makes perfect sense
“Thomas…. has blocked.….consolidation plans – including a proposal offered Haley”
Pardon me for being late to the Circus but I thought one of the reasons for placing Agencies under the Governor was so the Governor could eliminate duplication of services/programs and save taxpayers money using consolidation without having to seek and obtain Legislative approval
What’s that. Speak up. I can’t hear you. Say that again
Oh, the Gypsy Queen refused to kiss black booty so black booty told GQ to kiss off. Sorry, told GQ to kiss her black shiny ass.
Now, that makes perfect sense
This woman better be fired and indicted for felonies. The Dept of Probation and Parole has always been out of control. They once tried to revoke a persons probation and send them to prison simply because that probationer exercised a 1st amendment right by filing a petition with a school district within the state of South Carolina. It was not until the attorney for the probation dept and other high ranking probation agents were threaten with a civil rights lawsuit, criminal charges for civil rights violations, etc, that they backed way off. On another matter, the Probation dept got in trouble with the DOJ and then Senator Glenn McConnells office on another serious felony act committed by probation agents. Agents were faced with 5 years in state prison and 5 years in federal prison. They got slapped on the back of the hand and it was swept under the rug. A couple of detective chiefs for local law enforcement knew all about it as well as SLED.
No more can these out of control lawless rogues get away with this kind of conduct that Will reports on. People who do stuff like this must be punished with jail time.
Look, I am no fan of injustice’s coming out of the justice system, but you try picking the shit off the streets. Then babysit their untold number of mental disorders from their broken families, violent upbringing, drug, sex, alcohol addictions, sloth, avarice, greed when they are on probation. This woman, Kela Thomas, is all of the above except she has a college degree but was not caught…till now. The human condition in America sucks. There is a conflict in every human heart, and good does not always prevail especially when you consider our culture’s filthy mouths and bad attitudes.
“but you try picking the shit off the streets”
“good does not always prevail especially when you consider our culture’s filthy mouths and bad attitudes”
Indeed good sir, indeed.
The problems within this agency, the bad mindsets of parole and probation agents with their own mental disorders, power freaks and bullies with a little bit of authority invested within them by We The People ….. It is long overdue that this agency be turned inside out and every thing they have been illegally doing splattered across the world wide web.
Let these lawless rogues at SCDPPPS be brought to the people’s court to face their criminal charges. It shall be done.
This woman better be fired and indicted for felonies. The Dept of Probation and Parole has always been out of control. They once tried to revoke a persons probation and send them to prison simply because that probationer exercised a 1st amendment right by filing a petition with a school district within the state of South Carolina. It was not until the attorney for the probation dept and other high ranking probation agents were threaten with a civil rights lawsuit, criminal charges for civil rights violations, etc, that they backed way off. On another matter, the Probation dept got in trouble with the DOJ and then Senator Glenn McConnells office on another serious felony act committed by probation agents. Agents were faced with 5 years in state prison and 5 years in federal prison. They got slapped on the back of the hand and it was swept under the rug. A couple of detective chiefs for local law enforcement knew all about it as well as SLED.
No more can these out of control lawless rogues get away with this kind of conduct that Will reports on. People who do stuff like this must be punished with jail time.
Look, I am no fan of injustice’s coming out of the justice system, but you try picking the shit off the streets. Then babysit their untold number of mental disorders from their broken families, violent upbringing, drug, sex, alcohol addictions, sloth, avarice, greed when they are on probation. This woman, Kela Thomas, is all of the above except she has a college degree but was not caught…till now. The human condition in America sucks. There is a conflict in every human heart, and good does not always prevail especially when you consider our culture’s filthy mouths and bad attitudes.
“but you try picking the shit off the streets”
“good does not always prevail especially when you consider our culture’s filthy mouths and bad attitudes”
Indeed good sir, indeed.
The problems within this agency, the bad mindsets of parole and probation agents with their own mental disorders, power freaks and bullies with a little bit of authority invested within them by We The People ….. It is long overdue that this agency be turned inside out and every thing they have been illegally doing splattered across the world wide web.
Let these lawless rogues at SCDPPPS be brought to the people’s court to face their criminal charges. It shall be done.
She is a discredit to her race.
Wait till the reports go public on what she has used her government credit cards for and all the rest of the money that has been – should we say – illegally spent? Its kind of like embezzlement. But then again, it all easily falls into the category of “abuse and misuse” of public money.
The woman must be made an example out of and sent to prison. Anyone in the legislature against this form of punishment for this rogue would be just as guilty as she is. Black or not, the woman is a criminal.
She will use the race card. That’s just the kind of pos she is.
If she plays the race card, it will make her look even more guilty.
Wasn’t Dick Eckstrom posting the p-card purchases? I’d be interested to see the travel expenses as well.
She is a discredit to her race.
Wait till the reports go public on what she has used her government credit cards for and all the rest of the money that has been – should we say – illegally spent? Its kind of like embezzlement. But then again, it all easily falls into the category of “abuse and misuse” of public money.
The woman must be made an example out of and sent to prison. Anyone in the legislature against this form of punishment for this rogue would be just as guilty as she is. Black or not, the woman is a criminal.
She will use the race card. That’s just the kind of pos she is.
If she plays the race card, it will make her look even more guilty.
Wasn’t Dick Eckstrom posting the p-card purchases? I’d be interested to see the travel expenses as well.
Another state agency, run by an incompetent racist with a racist axe to grind, getting revenge on whitey, on the taxpayer, on the very people who hired her by bringing illegal hiring practices, blowing the budget, and now it sounds like embezzlement. No surprise to me that she was a USC ‘development’ employee. What experience that could have possibly given her to run an LE agency, we’ll never know. Enough is enough. Haley, you better get out there and start firing some people, before there is a mob with pitchforks and torches. Disgraceful.
She is more evil than racist. She hates blacks as much as whites.
Obama supporter was the First RED Flag
Another state agency, run by an incompetent racist with a racist axe to grind, getting revenge on whitey, on the taxpayer, on the very people who hired her by bringing illegal hiring practices, blowing the budget, and now it sounds like embezzlement. No surprise to me that she was a USC ‘development’ employee. What experience that could have possibly given her to run an LE agency, we’ll never know. Enough is enough. Haley, you better get out there and start firing some people, before there is a mob with pitchforks and torches. Disgraceful.
She is more evil than racist. She hates blacks as much as whites.
Dude, I’m totally with you on the gist of this article, but you gotta get your facts straight or people will use the fact that you don’t to beat you up and deflect your perfectly valid criticisms. Those are law enforcement Tahoes used by field PPP agents, and they don’t “start at $40,000.” They start (and end) at the state contract / Procurement Services price of $27,432. Here’s the link-
http://procurement.sc.gov/PS/agency/PS-agency-goods-and-services.phtm
Go to “Vehicles,” then “Vehicles – law enforcement” and look under the full size SUV’s. They’re actually great for field use, get much better mileage these days, and with the LE package (lowered suspension, road tires, etc.) handle almost as well as the sedans.
As for the tags (which a few folks commented upon), it is standard practice to run confidential tags on unmarked field law enforcement vehicles not assigned to patrol or first responder duties. This is true in most states, not just backwards little SC.
I know for a fact that the Tahoe given to the Richland County PPP is NOT being used by field Agents. The AIC is using it as her car. She drives back and forth from Neeses (over a 30 mile ride ONE WAY) everyday in it. It was taken off the field car list when given to the office and placed as “Her” car.
I don’t doubt you a bit. The state has a long history of waste like that- there have been numerous state department heads who never even faked a move to Cola. They would drive from Spartanburg, Beaufort, etc. a few days a week to make an appearance for appearance’s sake. I was just ‘splaining the general car scene for the otherwise ininitiated…
I know for a fact that there are AIC’s all over the state driving the state vehicles to and from home, grocery stores, shopping malls, grandma’s house, etc. every day.
Actually, you are wrong. While AIC’s do get a take home car, the Richland AIC will not be getting the Tahoe. Also, all cars are on the field car list, even the AIC’s. If an agent needs a vehicle for work, they have the option to use the AIC’s car. Of course it is saved for the AIC or the last one taken, but if work needs to be done, they can use ANY vehicle available.
Dude, I’m totally with you on the gist of this article, but you gotta get your facts straight or people will use the fact that you don’t to beat you up and deflect your perfectly valid criticisms. Those are law enforcement Tahoes used by field PPP agents, and they don’t “start at $40,000.” They start (and end) at the state contract / Procurement Services price of $27,432. Here’s the link-
http://procurement.sc.gov/PS/agency/PS-agency-goods-and-services.phtm
Go to “Vehicles,” then “Vehicles – law enforcement” and look under the full size SUV’s. They’re actually great for field use, get much better mileage these days, and with the LE package (lowered suspension, road tires, etc.) handle almost as well as the sedans.
As for the tags (which a few folks commented upon), it is standard practice to run confidential tags on unmarked field law enforcement vehicles not assigned to patrol or first responder duties. This is true in most states, not just backwards little SC.
I know for a fact that the Tahoe given to the Richland County PPP is NOT being used by field Agents. The AIC is using it as her car. She drives back and forth from Neeses (over a 30 mile ride ONE WAY) everyday in it. It was taken off the field car list when given to the office and placed as “Her” car.
I don’t doubt you a bit. The state has a long history of waste like that- there have been numerous state department heads who never even faked a move to Cola. They would drive from Spartanburg, Beaufort, etc. a few days a week to make an appearance for appearance’s sake. I was just ‘splaining the general car scene for the otherwise ininitiated…
I know for a fact that there are AIC’s all over the state driving the state vehicles to and from home, grocery stores, shopping malls, grandma’s house, etc. every day.
Actually, you are wrong. While AIC’s do get a take home car, the Richland AIC will not be getting the Tahoe. Also, all cars are on the field car list, even the AIC’s. If an agent needs a vehicle for work, they have the option to use the AIC’s car. Of course it is saved for the AIC or the last one taken, but if work needs to be done, they can use ANY vehicle available.
Two Dodge Chargers for the price of one of these. Then the major difference in gasoline expense.
Sheeshus! This agency is totally out of control and WASTING and FLEECING our money!! How much as she directed to her friends???
Wrong. The state contract price for a Tahoe is $1000 more than a Charger. Don’t believe me? Then go to the Budget and Control Board website and look it up. I suggest you do before you show your stupidity again.
Two Dodge Chargers for the price of one of these. Then the major difference in gasoline expense.
Sheeshus! This agency is totally out of control and WASTING and FLEECING our money!! How much as she directed to her friends???
Wrong. The state contract price for a Tahoe is $1000 more than a Charger. Don’t believe me? Then go to the Budget and Control Board website and look it up. I suggest you do before you show your stupidity again.
Governor of Minnesota vetoes 1.5mil gift to Teach for America, but SC just loves giving away money.
Dayton explained his action in a letter, noting that Teach for America in fiscal 2011 reported its revenues nationwide exceeded its expenses by more than $50 million. With those financial resources, Dayton said he did not understand why the program needed a state grant.
Governor of Minnesota vetoes 1.5mil gift to Teach for America, but SC just loves giving away money.
Dayton explained his action in a letter, noting that Teach for America in fiscal 2011 reported its revenues nationwide exceeded its expenses by more than $50 million. With those financial resources, Dayton said he did not understand why the program needed a state grant.
I know for a fact that the Tahoe given to the Richland County PPP is NOT being used by field Agents. The AIC is using it as her car. She drives back and forth from Neeses (over a 30 mile ride ONE WAY) everyday in it. It was taken off the field car list when given to the office and placed as “her” car.
I know for a fact that the Tahoe given to the Richland County PPP is NOT being used by field Agents. The AIC is using it as her car. She drives back and forth from Neeses (over a 30 mile ride ONE WAY) everyday in it. It was taken off the field car list when given to the office and placed as “her” car.
Fits,
Why don’t you ask PPP what their recidivism rate is? Their answer will be that they don’t track it.
The effectiveness of criminal justice programs is measured by whether the people being “served” go on to commit more crimes in the future yet the PPP claims they don’t even measure their performance using this important metric. Why not? Because they are a terribly-managed agency with suspect performance that in reality should be folded into SCDC.
You realize they have a report published on their website:
http://www.dppps.sc.gov/12%20Annual%20Statistical%20Report.pdf
Define recidivism that you are trying to track? Offenders that get a new convictions while on supervision? Offenders that are re-arrested? Do you count offenders that re-offend after their supervision is done?
I would like to know how many people who successfully complete probation are convicted within five years of completion, you know the same benchmark SCDC uses. The report you reference has no metrics that show how effective probation is. It merely talks about how many people they serve.
Fits,
Why don’t you ask PPP what their recidivism rate is? Their answer will be that they don’t track it.
The effectiveness of criminal justice programs is measured by whether the people being “served” go on to commit more crimes in the future yet the PPP claims they don’t even measure their performance using this important metric. Why not? Because they are a terribly-managed agency with suspect performance that in reality should be folded into SCDC.
You realize they have a report published on their website:
http://www.dppps.sc.gov/12%20Annual%20Statistical%20Report.pdf
Define recidivism that you are trying to track? Offenders that get a new convictions while on supervision? Offenders that are re-arrested? Do you count offenders that re-offend after their supervision is done?
I would like to know how many people who successfully complete probation are convicted within five years of completion, you know the same benchmark SCDC uses. The report you reference has no metrics that show how effective probation is. It merely talks about how many people they serve.
Where is Director Thomas???
On “vacation.” Which means she is hiding from the media and trying to decide who will be her scapegoat. But make no mistake – one of her loyal lieutenants will soon be thrown under the Kela Thomas / Gerald Malloy bus.
Strange time to take a vacation…while making a somewhat absurd effort to rally the troops. Her loyal lieutenants appear to be as irrational as Director Thomas.
Where is Director Thomas???
On “vacation.” Which means she is hiding from the media and trying to decide who will be her scapegoat. But make no mistake – one of her loyal lieutenants will soon be thrown under the Kela Thomas / Gerald Malloy bus.
Strange time to take a vacation…while making a somewhat absurd effort to rally the troops. Her loyal lieutenants appear to be as irrational as Director Thomas.
“Will the real Kela Shady please stand up, please stand up, please stand up.” Now Kela the Steala is telling her staff not to believe the LAC’s lies because their findings are politically motivated by people who want her agency to be merged with DOC. But wait a minute . . . I though Thomas supports the Governor’s merger plans . . .
Oh well, she couldn’t shoot straight on the firing range. No reason to expect she would shoot straight now.
“Will the real Kela Shady please stand up, please stand up, please stand up.” Now Kela the Steala is telling her staff not to believe the LAC’s lies because their findings are politically motivated by people who want her agency to be merged with DOC. But wait a minute . . . I though Thomas supports the Governor’s merger plans . . .
Oh well, she couldn’t shoot straight on the firing range. No reason to expect she would shoot straight now.
This Director and EMT are bullies. They have ran PPP as dictators. What will it take for Governor Haley to remove this narcism woman and her clan of thugs. Will it take another law suit or will it take more people to leave PPP.
This Director and EMT are bullies. They have ran PPP as dictators. What will it take for Governor Haley to remove this narcism woman and her clan of thugs. Will it take another law suit or will it take more people to leave PPP.