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Jobs agency executive resigns

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By STEVE ANDREWS

sandrews@wfla.com

Published: June 26, 2009

Terry Williams, the senior vice president of the Pasco Hernando Jobs and Education Partnership Board, has submitted his resignation to the agency's board of directors.

Agency attorney Al Torrence said the board planned a special meeting today to consider firing Williams and Executive Director Lee Ellzey. Both were suspended after a state investigation into accusations of mismanagement at the agency.

The investigation by the Agency for Workforce Innovation's Inspector General's Office found Williams gave the agency's copy machine to a friend, who was running a business, and that he used his influence to get his father hired.

The Inspector General's Office found that Ellzey approved a grant to a training company owned by board Chairman Steve Jensen, against the recommendations of staff. The agency paid the trainer more than $3,800 an hour, which investigators said was extraordinarily high.

Earlier, after the report was made public, the agency's board suspended Ellzey and Williams without pay and removed Jensen from office.

It plans to meet at 3 p.m. today in New Port Richey to determine whether to fire Ellzey.

Reporter Steve Andrews can be reached at (813) 221-5779.

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