Indictment recommended in no-show case

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A special grand jury has recommended an indictment for a Community Services Board official who oversaw the salary of Norfolk's no-show worker, Jill McGlone.

The jury and the Commonwealth's Attorney recommended Brenda Wise, the NCSB's previous director of administration, be charged with misuse, misappropriation or other unlawful disposition of public funds.

Read the jury's full report here.

The report also states several employees of NCSB had approached Wise regarding McGlone not showing up to work and still appearing on pay stubs, but were "led to believe [Ms. Wise] had the matter under control."

McGlone managed to collect more than $300,000 in pay and benefits over 12 years without working. The report states McGlone even signed necessary paperwork on time for health benefits and payroll deductions those 12 years.

The report goes on to state McGlone's employment with NCSB was confirmed a year after she stopped working when she requested a mortgage. The jury called her behavior "morally reprehensible."

Wise and four other employees were fired or forced to resign in 2010 when Executive Director Maureen Womack uncovered the no-show worker. 

The report alleges for more than 10 years, Wise had "knowingly blocked dissemination of information to her superior, Dr. George Pratt which would have ... stopped the unlawful flow of payments to Ms. McGlone."

"It's not fair," said Wise's attorney, Andrew Sacks. "Brenda should not be scapegoat in this matter. This is not a case of theft or stealing by Brenda Wise in any respect. At worst, this is a case of unfortunate neglect or negligence in failing to terminate an employee at a point in time."

The jury found that although Pratt was ineffective in leading the NCSB, he was "disengaged" and did not find sufficient evidence to charge him.

McGlone filed for bankruptcy in 2012 and any funds she may have owed NCSB during those 12 years were discharged Nov. 26, 2012.

The no-show case stemmed from a 1998 incident in which McGlone allegedly brought a weapon, a box cutter, to work. She was placed on administrative leave without pay while disciplinary action was supposed to take place for 30 days.

Per NCBS policy, McGlone's payroll was effective again in May 1998 even though she was not permitted to return to work.