Former employees at local disabilities agencies charged

COLUMBIA – Two former employees of local disabilities agencies, one from Greenville, have been arrested after they were charged with committing crimes while working at the agencies.

Lavonda Ella Douglas of North Augusta, 36, was charged last month with breach of trust of more than $10,000, court and police records show.

Douglas formerly worked as a senior accountant at the Tri-Development Center of Aiken County, according to records at the Aiken Department of Public Safety.

A warrant alleges Douglas altered time sheets last year to augment her pay.  According to the warrant, she received $19,913 in unearned compensation in 2017.

Ralph Courtney, executive director of the Tri-County Development Center, said the agency discovered the descrepencies.

“We did discover some irregularities and immediately contacted law enforcement as well as internal audit of the (state) Department of Disabilities and Special Needs,” he said.  “We actually found the problem. I would have hoped it would have worked a little sooner than it did.  But sometimes these things can go on for a while.”

Courtney said none of the funds were taken from residents.

He said Douglas had worked there a little more than a year and is no longer employed with the agency.

Court records show Douglas was released on a $10,000 cash bond. She could not be reached for comment.

Courtney said DDSN’s internal audit office has confirmed his agency’s findings.

At another agency, records show, Lisa Boyce Pressley of Greenville was charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult.

Court records show Pressley, 55, an employee of Community Options, was charged in November.

Dorothy Goodwin, state director of Community Options, said the charges occurred after it was alleged that Pressley used a spray bottle of water on a resident’s face as a way to address a behavior issue.

“We absolutely do not allow that,” she said. “We suspended her and reported it to the State Law Enforcement Division.”

Goodwin said Pressley has since been terminated.

Court records show Pressley was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond. She could not be reached for comment.

“We have zero tolerance for abuse and if we know about it we try to handle it as expeditiously as possible,” Goodwin said. “We definitely want to protect every one of our vulnerable adults.

Community Options is a national non-profit that operates facilities in Columbia, Greenville and Summerville to care for those with intellectual disabilities.