Chicago-based Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) has reached a settlement with the federal government to repay funds associated with five federally awarded grants.
The government concluded the funds were misused by the previous HBHC administration during the period between 2005 and 2010. The federal agencies to be repaid include the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The repayment consists of one-time payments of $53,924 to the CDC, and $86,076 to HRSA that were made today. Over the next three years, three annual payments totaling $575,000 are due to the NIH in accordance with the terms of the agreement. In all, $715,000 will be repaid resulting from the negotiated settlement reached today.
HBHC’s financial exposure at the beginning of the investigation exceeded $3.3 million plus penalties and interest. However, the government agreed to a significantly reduced settlement.
As part of the settlement’s terms, Howard Brown Health Center will remain in “good standing” with the federal government, which will enable the organization to continue to apply for and receive future grants and contracts from federal agencies.
Windy City Times will be following up on this and related HBHC stories.