Dispute over spending shakes top officials at austism center

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Thu, Oct. 27, 2005

Dispute over spending shakes top officials at austism center
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS - A Hennepin County judge has called for an inquiry into spending at the Minnesota Autism Center, after at least a half-dozen top officials resigned or were forced out in a dispute over how money was spent to help children.

Attorney General Mike Hatch has referred the matter to the state Department of Human Services, a major funding source for the center, which receives millions of state and federal dollars.

The dispute centers on whether school-age autistic children should continue to receive an intensive form of behavior therapy designed for preschoolers. The therapy can cost at least $100,000 a year. Two of the center's board members, Tim Wilkin and Larry Colson, sued board chairman Ron Carey and board member Kathryn Marshall, whose autistic sons receive treatment from the center.

Carey is chairman of the state Republican Party and Wilkin, also a Republican, is assistant House majority leader.
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http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/13008784.htm

[Demrock6]

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