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Federal Investigation Into National Disabled Work Program

Disabled
Posted at 10:48 PM, Jul 29, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-30 06:55:44-04

TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - The premier federal program helping severely disabled Americans get jobs is being investigated by the Department of Justice. This investigation is affecting one local organization.

According to investigators, billions of dollars designated for disabled workers is being funneled elsewhere. This is all through the Ability One commission.

They outsource the management of the program to the non-profit agency Source America, which, investigators say, virtually decides who gets the contracts worth about $2.3 billion every year.

Tallahassee non-profit, The Arc of Florida says this impacts the disabled and taxpayers who fund programs like theirs. The Arc of Florida receives funding from Ability One.

Now that Ability One is accused of giving jobs intended for disabled people to those without disabilities, local officials are unsure of how that will affect their own resources.