What to Expect

I have been asked several times in conversations about what is next, what to expect, etc.  

I have notified the Board of Directors formally of fraud, conflict of interest, and serious unethical behavior.  I know that we all want to assume that they HAVE to act, but they do not.  However, legally here is what I have done:

By sending my formal written notice and attaching copies of the filings, I have established an undeniable legal record that the Board was notified of potential fraud, conflicts of interest, and misuse of state funds.

• Loss of "Innocent Bystander" Status: Individual board members have a statutory fiduciary duty (§ 355.346 RSMo) to protect the non-profit. If state auditors find systemic billing fraud or private inurement after the Board was explicitly warned in writing, board members lose the defense that they "didn't know."

• Personal Liability & Clawbacks: If state regulators uncover improper reimbursements, unauthorized personal travel, or double-billing, state agencies can demand full repayment (clawbacks), freeze ongoing Medicaid disbursements, or impose heavy civil monetary penalties against the organization and responsible individuals.

• Contract Revocation / License Suspension: DMH and MMAC hold the power to suspend state service contracts, revoke operating licenses, or place the agency under state-monitored administration if compliance standards are violated.

So what does that look like next?  Right now, MACC has been communicating with me and I have turned over all records INCLUDING my formal notice and my formal requests to the Board of Directors.  I feel confident that there will be an audit.  

If the Board of Directors turns a blind eye, and they might considering two individuals are Kara and Emily's best friends and one is Heather's best friend, generally in an environment like this when the authorities start investigating, the following starts happening:

• Increased Staff Whistleblowing: As employees realize state reports have been initiated and that the Board is failing to protect them, more staff tend to document irregularities independently and reach out to state investigators directly.

• Preemptive Cover-ups or Retaliation: Mismanaged executives often attempt to scramble, alter logs, or intensify retaliation against suspected whistleblowers. However, doing so while an active AG/MMAC investigation is underway introduces severe additional legal penalties for document tampering or obstruction.

If state agencies are processing filings and the Board remains unresponsive, the final tier of accountability moves toward external visibility:

• Funder & Accreditation Review: Key community partners, local mental health boards, grantors, and licensing/accreditation bodies (like CARF or local tax boards) can be formally notified that active regulatory fraud investigations are underway.

• Community & Media Scrutiny: Local investigative reporting or community awareness updates (such as through independent reporting boards or public records requests under Missouri's Sunshine Law for public funding bodies) bring institutional pressure that volunteer boards can rarely withstand for long.

So, here is my promise to those participating.  I will not stop, I will not back down.  I know that some of you were extremely disappointed with me when I backed off in November 2023 after letting the Board know about the relationship between Angie and Heather.  All I had then was unethical behavior and mean behavior.  Now?  Now I have evidence, I have multiple employee statements both former and current, and I have the law.

I will say it again, I will not give up and I will not back down.  If I am met by inaction after inaction, I will begin to Sunshine request documents and build out the entire history of lying, toxic, manipulative, unethical behavior and I will make sure EVERY. SINGLE. RESIDENT. in Howard County and EVERY. SINGLE. AGENCY. in the state of Missouri are aware of this behavior.

I know it is hard when, as one employee stated today, "big them, little me."  But I got you.  I promise.

Christina