Nonprofit Diabetes Group Is Subject of Investigation (JDRF)

[Celebration]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/nyregion/28diabetes.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

The Manhattan district attorney is investigating the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International after an internal audit showed that hundreds of thousands of dollars was missing. The audit led to the dismissal of two foundation employees.

Barbara Thompson, the spokeswoman for District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau, would confirm only that an investigation was under way and provided no details. But Gail Pressberg, the secretary of the foundation’s board, said the investigation centered on the misappropriation of funds through fake receipts. She said the receipts were generated on computers and appeared legitimate.

Ms. Pressberg said there was no need for stricter fiscal controls at the foundation because the scheme had been detected by an internal investigation.

“It’s a foolish person who tries this,” Ms. Pressberg said. “We catch people.” She noted, “We had enough evidence to terminate the employees. There’s no nonsense in this organization.”

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In an e-mail message on Dec. 12 addressed to “J.D.R.F. Chapter, Regional and National Staff,” William Ahearn, the vice president for strategic communications and information technology, wrote that the foundation’s internal audit department had discovered certain undefined “abuses” in the foundation’s publications, editorial, and marketing communications group.

This is just so much b.s. Internal controls should have caught something like this way before hundreds of thousands of dollars go missing.

I have not had a good feeling about the JDRF in a long, long time.

[caligirl]

1. This is the first i have heard of this. My son volunteered with them. But

why have you had bad feelings for a long time? Whats that about?

[Celebration]

2. various things

Their scientific director, IMHO, rules the roost as far as giving out grants. I'm not going to say anything about my suspicions about this. Yes, he has a good reputation. But people that are the "in" group seem to get big grants, while the "out" group doesn't. At least that is the case from my perspective.

Another thing is the complete boondoggle setting up islet transplant facilities all over the place, involving multimillion dollars, based on preliminary results from the Edmonton protocol, which has since basically failed. It isn't as if enough islet cells are available anyway. Why not try to do something about that first? This was a way of rewarding friendly endocrinology departments, IMHO.

Then there was all that crap about the NY Times article about Dr. Faustman's research not being funded by the JDRF, and the subsequent unpublished letter to the NY Times being broadcast by the JDRF. Here is a little more info on that--

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2005/05/01/4126.html

It looks like their new chief resigned over this latest flap. Guess who was a previous employer of his? Monsanto--PUHLEASE!! MONSANTO ex executive was hired. Let's just say I do not trust ex Monsanto execs.

[caligirl]

4. Iread through the link and found that despite the bad behavior they are trying to replicate

Dr Faustman's research in reversing T1 in mice by using a spleen of a non diabetic mouse. This is the research I wanted to see pursued and let me tell you I am really disappointed that JDRF tried to discredit her.

[CPschem]

3. i volunteer with JDRF

and I didn't know anything about this. It's very surprising, and hopefully it will be taken care of swiftly.

[Celebration]

5. two good alternatives to the JDRF

Children with Diabetes Foundation

http://www.cwdfoundation.org/AboutUs.htm

Iacocca Foundation

http://www.iacoccafoundation.org/

[mzmolly]

6. This is horrible.

Thanks for the info.