REPORT OF: RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACCUSATIONS
ALLEGATIONS By: Vaughn Mario Di Frisco
Hired Date: 2-19-07
Fired Date: 8-18-08
ACCUSED: TEEN CHALLENGE INTERNATIONAL
3706 South Sanford Avenue, Sanford, FLorida 32773
Jeff Jones, Executive Director (Legal Issues, Facilities & Operations)
Burt McCrimon, Operations Director (VPD, Work Fleet, Maintenance/Janitor).
Derek Johnson, CAP Program Director Counselor/Teacher.
TEEN CHALLENGE INTERNATIONAL FLORIDA HEADQUARTERS – Administrative
Offices
P. O. Box 607737 Orlando, Florida 32860-7737
Jerry Nance
ALLEGATIONS By: Vaughn Mario Di Frisco
Hired Date: 2-19-07
Fired Date: 8-18-08
ACCUSED: TEEN CHALLENGE INTERNATIONAL
3706 South Sanford Avenue, Sanford, FLorida 32773
Jeff Jones, Executive Director (Legal Issues, Facilities & Operations)
Burt McCrimon, Operations Director (VPD, Work Fleet, Maintenance/Janitor).
Derek Johnson, CAP Program Director Counselor/Teacher.
TEEN CHALLENGE INTERNATIONAL FLORIDA HEADQUARTERS – Administrative
Offices
P. O. Box 607737 Orlando, Florida 32860-7737
Jerry Nance
Approximately around the last week of April, 2008, we had our regular weekly staff review meeting, were our CAP Program Director, Derek Johnson, had already informed us that he had given
a three (3) month’s notice of his resignation and that Wayne Gray, CAP Executive Director, was also resigning. He was going to formally introduce our new Executive Director, Jeff Jones.
During the meeting, Derek informed us that it was Wayne’s desire that no one open any “cans of worms,” and nobody did. I do not recall if it was in that particular meeting, or the one before
that, that Derek Johnson told all the counselors present that he could not understand now that Wayne was leaving almost all had something negative to speak about when it was never
brought up at the weekly general staff meetings. I spoke out and reminded Derek Johnson of the many times during these general staff meetings, that we were all present and how Wayne
Gray intimidated us in Derek Johnson’s presence. How in the past there were some employees that spoke out and Wayne Gray just did not like what the person said and would fire the
employee. During our regular staff meetings for more than a year and a half, there have been many complaints including from Derek Johnson in reference to, at that time, our Vehicle
Donation Supervisor, Burt McCrimon, regarding his many racial discriminatory acts against Hispanics and Black students. Also about many student work related issues. During about the time
Channel 9 television news reporter, Todd Alldrige, investigated Teen Challenge’s rings of working area. Wayne Gray did not grant, in various occasions, invitations to respond publicly to many
illegal issues and incriminating questions. Wayne Gray ordered that no one of the staff members dare speak to the press and also ordered all staff members to no longer refer to work in any
of our documentation, rather as vocational assignment instead. When I asked at a general staff meeting later on, our new Executive Director, Jeff Jones, preferred that we use the words
vocational training. To my understanding anything that involves labor and generates economical profits other than asking for donations, is still considered work in the United States of America.
Two weeks late, approximately the week May 19th, 2008, when I had returned from my vacation, during our weekly general staff meeting, Jeff Johnson said, he was not here to change Wayne
Gray’s legacy, but to continue in another perspective. He spoke on turning around the high amount of students abandoning the program. Some of the reasons were brought to the light in a
very discreet manner by staff members.
I respectfully asked permission to speak. My words were that I did not want to open a “can of worms.” However, for one year and a half I had reported situations that were never attended to.
That my intention was to open these “wounds” so that God’s light would shine upon them and let them heal. I said that if Wayne Gray knew, or did not know what was going on in his program,
he was responsible as Jeff Jones is now going to be responsible. In the time that I have been working for this program, I had been a witness to constant racial discrimination towards students,
verbal abuse, Carte Blanche for students to break the rules, as long as they produced sales in the phone rooms. Up to the point that alcohol, drug, porn and many other infractions were being
overlooked and the more counselors complained, the more it was covered up. I told them all that I take off that KLU KLUX’S KLAN robe and throw it on the table and asked if Jeff Jones was
here for change, or was it going to be more of the same. I said, they did not have to look for an excuse to fire me because I was ready to quit. I broke down in tears and so did many of the
ladies present. Pastor Terry Stoves came beside me and prayed for me . Jeff Jones’ answer was that he commended me for being bold enough to speak out that he did not doubt that what I
had spoken was true, that no, I would not be fired. One thing he would not tolerate was racial discrimination and that as far as the phone rooms were concerned, to change that situation he
would have to purchase five vans, plus insurance, since the phone rooms are the main income of the program. Yes, he had an open door policy, he would listen, but not to expect what we
think should anything be done about our concerning our complaints. He would make his own decisions on these matters. However, after my return to work from an emergency surgery
operation (the week of July 14th, 2008, I continued to observe that our now Operation’s Director, Burt McCrimon, had not only continued, but escalated his acts of racial discrimination towards
Hispanic students and also attacking me personally for not breaking the law, or not covering up labor related infractions, resulting in bringing fraudulent accusations, with the end goal to have
me fired and hindering my walk and testimony in Christ Jesus. First of all, as a devoted Christian counselor, leader of a Christian drug prevention ministry dedicated to the prevention of drugs
and substance abuse, my reputation as a studied ordained and certified International Chaplain was affected. Also hindering years of service as founder-president of a non-profit Christian
outreach program, affiliated with the Christian Alliance & Missionary Churches serving the homeless and substance abuse users in Puerto Rico, (House of Love for Homeless Persons, Inc.).
A ministry that converted my person into a public figure in Puerto Rico. I am proud to say that many students that were not in my case load, I would attend to, since my doors were always
open, on or off the clock. I would minister to any student in need regardless of race, or nationality. It has and always will be my passion to serve the most in need without prejudice , or
judgment, simlply with a willing heart to give by grace what I received by grace. I was delivered from 40 years of bondage from drugs. For God and only Him is the Glory. This has brought me
great sorrow and depression that all of this comes from persons representing a great organization (Teen Challenge) that profess to the world that they are Christians and what they do is in
the name of Jesus Christ.
Two, or three weeks before I was fired, I was called into Derek Johnson’s office, the Program Director and Juan Garcia, Program Supervisor was present. It was in reference to a student in
my case load, Roberto Matta. At that time, this student was in charge of the emerging leader group, dorm captain and working under Burt McCrimon’s department. Student Matta proved
without a doubt that a student was stealing from the kitty cash box. I was informed by student Matta that Burt told student Matta in front of Derek Johnson that he was a disgrace to the
program. Because student Matta proved that a student was stealing money from the sale of crosses and donations, he was reprimanded.
That same day, student Matta called his family to send him money through Western Union to invite the workers to lunch, as a gesture of good faith. The students were ordered to work from
departure from campus at 8:00 AM and only fed two sandwiches donated with outdated bread from Publix’s Supermarket, or outdated sandwiches donated from Disney, or Target. I would
witness at times between 10:00 PM and 10:30 PM students returning to the campus. Student Matta told me that in the presence of Derek Johnson, that he simply answered Burt McCrimon by
saying that the only disgrace here was that Burt McCrimom ignored that there was $2,000.00 stolen monthly, not just from this box, because there are many boxes and many other locations
under Burt’s supervision. None of this was entered into general notes and student Matta was told by Derek Johnson in my and Juan Garcia’s presence, that it had been decided to change his
graduation date, which was two weeks away instead changed it for three (3) more months. Derek Johnson told him that he wanted an answer immediately whether student Matta would stay,
or not. Student Mata answered that he would like to pray to God before making his decision. Derek Johnson very swiftly told student Matta that God had already spoken. That there was
nothing to talk to God about and (God) had already spoken. Student Matta asked who had made this decision? Derek Johnson answered, Burt McCrimon, Jeff Jones and I. I looked at Matta
and said at Teen Challenge if it’s coming from those three, it means God spoke. (In my mind I could not figure out which of these three men were playing the role of the Father, the Son and
the Holy Ghost.) Student Matta explained that he was worried that there would be repercussions from Burt McCrimon if he decided to stay. Derek told student Matta that there was no reason
for him to even say that. I asked that if student Matta decided to stay, would his position in work, dorm captain, living quarters, leader in charge of the emerging leader’s group status be
affected. Derek Johnson gave us his word that the only thing changed would be his graduation date.
The next day upon my arrival at work, student Matta came to see for the last time after one year of being his counselor, telling me that Burt had sent for him first thing in the morning speaking
in a very loud verbal aggressive tone, stripping him of all his work duties. Stating that he was no longer an Emerging Leader, or Dorm Captain and to report to work at Summer Bay
Telemarketing phone room and that any free time that student had, he was supposed to be in the kitchen washing dishes. I told student to speak to Derek Johnson that he was a fair man and
that’s not what was said to us yesterday. After student left my office I noticed that Burt McCrimom had doctored the records in the general notes in our computer program called Terascribe.
Derek Johnson covered up for Burt McCrimon. Once again, another excellent student without ever having a discipline report was practically obligated to leave the program.
The next week I asked to speak to Derek Johnson privately behind closed doors in regards to another student which had been given two weeks to get a job, or leave having finished a six (6)
months of restoration period. This student was not here because of a drug relapse, but it is a fact that the student’s depressions had brought him to the point of almost committing suicide. At
this time, student had told me during our last counseling session that his family had rejected his return home for three months when he was to prepare to return to college. I went over my
strong concerns on this very delicate issue and explained to Derek Johnson that Burt McCrimom may handle this issue the way he handled the Matta incident. I understood that this Father,
Son and Holy Ghost approach was not working up to the point that he had to cover up for Burt McCrimon, plus the Matta issue reflecting racial discrimination explaining that Matta’s brother
was a wealthy man and the door was left open for a law suit. Derek Johnson accepted that what was done was wrong. I also told him that I am not the type of person to go running directly to
Jeff Jones every time there was an issue at hand. I wholeheartedly felt after leaving Derek Johnson’s office, that we were part of the solutions, not the problems.
On my day off, Saturday, August 15th, 2008, I was called by one of my caseload student’s mother (Mrs. Marrero) explaining that her son had had an accident while working in the wood shop
making wooden crosses to be sold at different locations. She was very worried and would like to speak to her son. I explained that I was off that day, but would call the staff on duty asking
them to allow student to call her. I also told her not to worry, knowing that in my first session with her son as his assigned counselor, I knew that she had paid the $700.00 for induction fee with
a credit card. She was going through great sacrifice to have her son there. I had also spoken to student’s probation officer, Mrs. Stevenson, answering her questions and explaining that upon
her request, I would be able to send her copies of all the student’s general notes. I simply told the student’s mother that Teen Challenge was covered by Workmen’s Compensation, if student
was working at the time of the accident. I would try to have student call her. I tried called fellow counselors Dwight Collins and Larry Turner to inform them of the situation. I spoke to Dwight
Collins and informed him of the situation.
Early that evening Derek Johnson called me and told me that Burt McCrimon was very disturbed because I had told Student Marrero’s mother that we had the Workman’s Compensation
insurance and that the student was not authorized to be in that area. I told him that was a secure area and I very much doubted that the student was not sent to work there.
Note: Around the time I would leave work at night at 10:30 PM, I would ride around the campus before going home. I saw another student in front of that area and asked him what he was doing
there. He answered that they were out of crosses to sell and that he would have to be working all night.
Derek’s exact words were “well I suppose we did not train you not to give parents that type of information.” I reminded Derek of our conversation in his office the week before and I told him that
I would not tolerate Burt McCrimon’s verbally disrespecting me as he has done to so many students and coworkers in the past. I told him that I did not do anything wrong and that there are
two big signs one in front of the file room and another on the bulletin board in front of the main Chapel announcing we have Workmen’s Compensation. Derek insisted that I did do wrong . I
told him that if not being trained meant to break the law and being called on my day off and that Burt had already made a big issue over this incident. I told Derek Johnson that I was getting
upset because I perceive that Burt McCrimon was going to pursue this matter. I informed Derek Jonhson that I would file a report with the Florida Commission on Human Relations and that I
was going to call immediately my lawyer to document our conversation, and then I hung up the phone.
The reason I said that Burt McCrimon has verbally abused and up to the point of yelling at another staff member ( Juan Garcia, Education Coordinator, Supervisor, Counselor/Teacher) and
telling him that he was going to beat him up. At that time, Pastor Harry Rentas (a former pastoral counselor/teacher) had to intervene and almost get physical with Burt McCrimon defending
Juan Garcia. Burt admitted that for some time he had been drinking alcohol on the job. I really do not know what happened after that. I was not working for Teen Challenge at that time (it was
before I began working there), but it was confirmed to me by Pastor Harry Rentas. At the beginning of August of 2008, Juan Garcia told me in his office, trying to minister to me on the matter
his tolerance and up to what point he had to tolerate Burt McCrimon’s abuse for the love of Christ. (I call it racial discrimination to the point of premeditation of finding an excuse, or excuses to
get me fired). Derek Johnson had told me over the phone that Burt McCrimon had told him that the student had authorization and was not supposed to be working in that area. I have been
informed by student’s mother that Teen Challenge admitted sending the student there, but had not trained him yet to use the machine which cut and damaged his finger. It seems to me that
after I spoke to Derek, as in other occasions before, documents were doctored; stories change to avoid Teen Challenge’s liabilities. In this particular matter, where was the supervisor at that
time to prevent the use of the machine and protect the student from injury.
On Monday, August 18th, 2008, before arriving to work, Derek called me ordering me to report to Jeff Jones’ office. Upon arrival, I was asked to sit and I noticed two papers facing me on top of
Jeff Jones’ desk. Jeff Jones grabbed one of the papers and asked me if I had been spreading a rumor that Melody-----------the Ex -Executive Director’s assistant, then became the financial
director working under Jeff Jones, was having a romantic affair with the Ex Executive Director, Wayne Gray. I told Jeff Jones that the new Financial Director and Human Resources Director,
Nathan Mintle, (brought in by Jeff Jones) communicated to me his findings about Wayne Gray and Melody.
A week before this meeting, when I asked Nathan Mintle if I could speak to Melanie Yomes in charge of Human Recourses at our Cooperate office on a private matter, Nathan told me that the
rules had changed and we were not allowed to make any contact to the cooperate offices any more, that Jeff Jones had changed the rules. That same day I mentioned this to Derek Johnson.
Nathan Mintle spoke to me in Spanish and told me that he had just spent four hours with Melody speaking to the corporate office and it showed that she was very incompetent. I responded
that I had heard that the only reason that Wayne had her there was because she did most of his work and was very cheap labor. Nathan Mintle told me that, yes she did most of his work
(Wayne Gray) but he was paying her $40,000.00 a year and that he (Nathan ) had intercepted some very romantic e-mails between her and Wayne Gray. Jeff Jones replied that she did not
earn $40,000.00 a year. Nathan Mintle had just informed me that due to the many discrepancies found in the books by Jeff Jones, Jeff brought in a CPA to investigate the books.
I had heard from students and from the televised investigations being conducted on the telemarketing phone room, about discrepancies at the Sanford Teen Challenge program. I also told
Nathan, in his capacity of Human Resources’ Director, that I had heard from students that worked for Americo Inc. (one of the telemarketing companies) that Wayne Gray may had been
receiving $300,00000 a year from them. (I did not tell him that one of the student’s room director for the Americo phone room for almost a year had told me that Wayne Gray would constantly
enter into the Americo phone room offering incentives for higher sales. He would pull out money from his pocket constantly to buy Domino Pizzas for spiffs when sales were high.) The
student director of the phone room told me that Wayne Gray hardly ever was in the other phone rooms and that it would not surprise him that Wayne Gray was still receiving checks from
Americo, Inc. Other students had mentioned that this matter may be an ongoing FBI investigation.
I mentioned to Nathan that I had seen Wayne Gray riding around the campus in his Avalanche with Melody a few times after their working hours after 7:00 PM. My last words to Nathan on
these issues were “my name is West and I have nothing to do with this mess.” (Exactly the same phrase I told Jeff Jones and Derek Johnson when referring to this matter.) Jeff Jones asked
me two times, if I had mentioned this to anybody else. I truly do not remember, but I did mention it to my wife and she told me that I should not mention it to anyone else the conversation with
Nathan. Jeff Jones exclaimed and said, “there, your wife, that’s talking to other people about this.” In that moment, I understood that one of the reasons in his witch hunt was to use these
questions which were written down in one of the papers shown to me. I believe they were accusations to be used to fire me at that time.
Jeff Jones asked me about hanging up the phone on Derek Johnson. My answer to Jeff Jones is documented on Pages 4 and 5 of this document. I also told them of students that were
discriminated by Burt McCrimon. The directors Wayne Gray, Derek Johnson and now Jeff Jones would discharge students accepting Burt McCrimon’s assessment without consulting the
counselors and/or staff members, which had more involvement with the student, or students. Burt McCrimon has constantly violated a very fundamental part and history of love and
compassion which started 50 years ago on the streets of New York City by the founder of Teen Challenge, David Wilkerson. His ministry reached out to black and Hispanics starting with the
conversion to Christ of one of the leaders of a Hispanic gang member by the name of Nicky Cruz, a Puerto Rican. (On one occasion, Burt McCrimon referring to Pastor Jorge in Puerto Rico
which has sent hundreds of Puerto Rican young men in need, paying for their transportation to Teen Challenge, Burt told me that Pastor Jorge “used to send us good Hispanic drug addicts,
now what he sends us is garbage.”) I mentioned in our conversation that the following students had been discriminated under the supervision of Teen Challenge. (A ministry of God to help
addicts.)
1. Jonathan Oquendo
2. Hugo Cardona
3. Roberto Matta
4. Nelson Rodriquez
5. Jose Delgado
6. Christian Buscayrol (Teen Change Graduate)
7. Samuel Molina (Teen Challenge Graduate)
I mentioned incidents with details of what I recalled at that moment. I also told Jeff Johnson that in one occasion I had my wife bake a flan for Burt McCrimon in gratitude for him having a
student install an electric window motor in my Jeep, since the window had been forced when I left my car over night at Teen Challenge parking. I was taken to the hospital by my wife that day.
I explained how when I gave Burt McCrimom the flan, I told him that it was a typical Spanish dessert. Burt McCrimon answered that he knew what a flan was that he was married to a Cuban
and that was why he treated Hispanics the way he did.
I also mentioned to Jeff Jones that on another occasion, I was translating for a Hispanic intake over the phone. I went and explained in front of student Josh Stilman that the person had a
heroin habit. Burt told me that they needed money, due to the low numbers of students enrolled. If he had $150.00 to tell him to come in, that we would put him in the dorm full of bed bugs.
And after a few days, we will send him to a detox (expressing to Josh Stillman “isn’t that the way you and I did it. This is the Teen Challenge way”. Neither Josh Stillman, nor I answered. I know
that we do not have a detox center and how difficult it is for a heroin addict to quit cold turkey. The odds were that the intake would leave within the next 24 hours and Teen Challenge would
have made $150.00.) What is in prentices was not mentioned to Jeff Jones. I gathered that he knew what I meant. I told Jeff openly that Burt McCrimon was a racist. I reminded him that he
had declared in the general staff meeting that we were going to feed our workers good when they were working hard labor in Disney’s Hotels for 12 hours a day off campus and yet they were
getting only two sandwiches per day. Jeff Jones said that he had heard enough, that now I was accusing him. He told me that I was not happy here and I answered no, then why are you here.
I answered because God had placed me here, (I did not say that I was here because I respected, admired and was grateful to Jeff Jones for paying me 60 hours when I was in the hospital.
For a little while I thought that he was going to let God’s light shed upon this whole mess. I was wrong). Jeff told me to sign the papers and that I was resigning. I told him no and asked him if
he was firing me. He said yes, sign the papers. I told him the only thing that I wanted was that when I finish my Net studies to be certified, to have the CAP, Program Director, Derek Johnson,
sign my hours of counseling. I looked at Derek and he knotted, understanding what I meant. Jeff Johnson told me to sign the papers. The accusations of spreading the rumor of Wayne Gray
and Melody I did not sign. I asked for a copy. He told me if I did not sign, he would not give me a copy. As to the second paper, I read about giving information that I was not supposed to give to
a student’s mother. I asked him to read it to me and told him that this was wrong that I would sign it to get my copy. (He never gave me a copy.) After I signed, I pulled out of my pocket my cell
phone, which is also a cam recorder and camera and pointed it at Jeff Jones, Derek Johnson and the two documents saying that I would be reporting this to The Florida Commission of
Human Rights and that this whole conversation had been recorded. Jeff Jones jumped out of his chair with great rage in his eyes. He told me to get out of his office that I could not use that
recording legally because I did not inform them beforehand that I was recording. My answer was that I could use it to go public. Jeff Jones was enraged telling me to get out of his property that
they would pack up my things. My last words in his office as I looked directly into his eyes what It is, all about money isn’t it Jeff. He lowered his head and did not say another word. I extended
my hand to shake his as I left he did not respond. I told him God Bless and walked to my car and called 911 and asked for police assistance. I explained to the officer upon his arrival that I had
just been fired and was denied access to my personal belongings in the office. Jeff Jones and Derek Johnson spoke to the officer and opened the office noticing that they had changed the
locks. I gave him the keys to the old lock and other related keys. As all of my property was being checked, I told Jeff that I was a man of God and he was treating me like a criminal. He
answered “you’re the one that called the police.”
As of today 3-11-09 I was informed and verified that Burt McCrimson was arested by the Police for DUI and that they found drug parfenailia in his office. This they cannot cover up by saying he
is no longer with us!
a three (3) month’s notice of his resignation and that Wayne Gray, CAP Executive Director, was also resigning. He was going to formally introduce our new Executive Director, Jeff Jones.
During the meeting, Derek informed us that it was Wayne’s desire that no one open any “cans of worms,” and nobody did. I do not recall if it was in that particular meeting, or the one before
that, that Derek Johnson told all the counselors present that he could not understand now that Wayne was leaving almost all had something negative to speak about when it was never
brought up at the weekly general staff meetings. I spoke out and reminded Derek Johnson of the many times during these general staff meetings, that we were all present and how Wayne
Gray intimidated us in Derek Johnson’s presence. How in the past there were some employees that spoke out and Wayne Gray just did not like what the person said and would fire the
employee. During our regular staff meetings for more than a year and a half, there have been many complaints including from Derek Johnson in reference to, at that time, our Vehicle
Donation Supervisor, Burt McCrimon, regarding his many racial discriminatory acts against Hispanics and Black students. Also about many student work related issues. During about the time
Channel 9 television news reporter, Todd Alldrige, investigated Teen Challenge’s rings of working area. Wayne Gray did not grant, in various occasions, invitations to respond publicly to many
illegal issues and incriminating questions. Wayne Gray ordered that no one of the staff members dare speak to the press and also ordered all staff members to no longer refer to work in any
of our documentation, rather as vocational assignment instead. When I asked at a general staff meeting later on, our new Executive Director, Jeff Jones, preferred that we use the words
vocational training. To my understanding anything that involves labor and generates economical profits other than asking for donations, is still considered work in the United States of America.
Two weeks late, approximately the week May 19th, 2008, when I had returned from my vacation, during our weekly general staff meeting, Jeff Johnson said, he was not here to change Wayne
Gray’s legacy, but to continue in another perspective. He spoke on turning around the high amount of students abandoning the program. Some of the reasons were brought to the light in a
very discreet manner by staff members.
I respectfully asked permission to speak. My words were that I did not want to open a “can of worms.” However, for one year and a half I had reported situations that were never attended to.
That my intention was to open these “wounds” so that God’s light would shine upon them and let them heal. I said that if Wayne Gray knew, or did not know what was going on in his program,
he was responsible as Jeff Jones is now going to be responsible. In the time that I have been working for this program, I had been a witness to constant racial discrimination towards students,
verbal abuse, Carte Blanche for students to break the rules, as long as they produced sales in the phone rooms. Up to the point that alcohol, drug, porn and many other infractions were being
overlooked and the more counselors complained, the more it was covered up. I told them all that I take off that KLU KLUX’S KLAN robe and throw it on the table and asked if Jeff Jones was
here for change, or was it going to be more of the same. I said, they did not have to look for an excuse to fire me because I was ready to quit. I broke down in tears and so did many of the
ladies present. Pastor Terry Stoves came beside me and prayed for me . Jeff Jones’ answer was that he commended me for being bold enough to speak out that he did not doubt that what I
had spoken was true, that no, I would not be fired. One thing he would not tolerate was racial discrimination and that as far as the phone rooms were concerned, to change that situation he
would have to purchase five vans, plus insurance, since the phone rooms are the main income of the program. Yes, he had an open door policy, he would listen, but not to expect what we
think should anything be done about our concerning our complaints. He would make his own decisions on these matters. However, after my return to work from an emergency surgery
operation (the week of July 14th, 2008, I continued to observe that our now Operation’s Director, Burt McCrimon, had not only continued, but escalated his acts of racial discrimination towards
Hispanic students and also attacking me personally for not breaking the law, or not covering up labor related infractions, resulting in bringing fraudulent accusations, with the end goal to have
me fired and hindering my walk and testimony in Christ Jesus. First of all, as a devoted Christian counselor, leader of a Christian drug prevention ministry dedicated to the prevention of drugs
and substance abuse, my reputation as a studied ordained and certified International Chaplain was affected. Also hindering years of service as founder-president of a non-profit Christian
outreach program, affiliated with the Christian Alliance & Missionary Churches serving the homeless and substance abuse users in Puerto Rico, (House of Love for Homeless Persons, Inc.).
A ministry that converted my person into a public figure in Puerto Rico. I am proud to say that many students that were not in my case load, I would attend to, since my doors were always
open, on or off the clock. I would minister to any student in need regardless of race, or nationality. It has and always will be my passion to serve the most in need without prejudice , or
judgment, simlply with a willing heart to give by grace what I received by grace. I was delivered from 40 years of bondage from drugs. For God and only Him is the Glory. This has brought me
great sorrow and depression that all of this comes from persons representing a great organization (Teen Challenge) that profess to the world that they are Christians and what they do is in
the name of Jesus Christ.
Two, or three weeks before I was fired, I was called into Derek Johnson’s office, the Program Director and Juan Garcia, Program Supervisor was present. It was in reference to a student in
my case load, Roberto Matta. At that time, this student was in charge of the emerging leader group, dorm captain and working under Burt McCrimon’s department. Student Matta proved
without a doubt that a student was stealing from the kitty cash box. I was informed by student Matta that Burt told student Matta in front of Derek Johnson that he was a disgrace to the
program. Because student Matta proved that a student was stealing money from the sale of crosses and donations, he was reprimanded.
That same day, student Matta called his family to send him money through Western Union to invite the workers to lunch, as a gesture of good faith. The students were ordered to work from
departure from campus at 8:00 AM and only fed two sandwiches donated with outdated bread from Publix’s Supermarket, or outdated sandwiches donated from Disney, or Target. I would
witness at times between 10:00 PM and 10:30 PM students returning to the campus. Student Matta told me that in the presence of Derek Johnson, that he simply answered Burt McCrimon by
saying that the only disgrace here was that Burt McCrimom ignored that there was $2,000.00 stolen monthly, not just from this box, because there are many boxes and many other locations
under Burt’s supervision. None of this was entered into general notes and student Matta was told by Derek Johnson in my and Juan Garcia’s presence, that it had been decided to change his
graduation date, which was two weeks away instead changed it for three (3) more months. Derek Johnson told him that he wanted an answer immediately whether student Matta would stay,
or not. Student Mata answered that he would like to pray to God before making his decision. Derek Johnson very swiftly told student Matta that God had already spoken. That there was
nothing to talk to God about and (God) had already spoken. Student Matta asked who had made this decision? Derek Johnson answered, Burt McCrimon, Jeff Jones and I. I looked at Matta
and said at Teen Challenge if it’s coming from those three, it means God spoke. (In my mind I could not figure out which of these three men were playing the role of the Father, the Son and
the Holy Ghost.) Student Matta explained that he was worried that there would be repercussions from Burt McCrimon if he decided to stay. Derek told student Matta that there was no reason
for him to even say that. I asked that if student Matta decided to stay, would his position in work, dorm captain, living quarters, leader in charge of the emerging leader’s group status be
affected. Derek Johnson gave us his word that the only thing changed would be his graduation date.
The next day upon my arrival at work, student Matta came to see for the last time after one year of being his counselor, telling me that Burt had sent for him first thing in the morning speaking
in a very loud verbal aggressive tone, stripping him of all his work duties. Stating that he was no longer an Emerging Leader, or Dorm Captain and to report to work at Summer Bay
Telemarketing phone room and that any free time that student had, he was supposed to be in the kitchen washing dishes. I told student to speak to Derek Johnson that he was a fair man and
that’s not what was said to us yesterday. After student left my office I noticed that Burt McCrimom had doctored the records in the general notes in our computer program called Terascribe.
Derek Johnson covered up for Burt McCrimon. Once again, another excellent student without ever having a discipline report was practically obligated to leave the program.
The next week I asked to speak to Derek Johnson privately behind closed doors in regards to another student which had been given two weeks to get a job, or leave having finished a six (6)
months of restoration period. This student was not here because of a drug relapse, but it is a fact that the student’s depressions had brought him to the point of almost committing suicide. At
this time, student had told me during our last counseling session that his family had rejected his return home for three months when he was to prepare to return to college. I went over my
strong concerns on this very delicate issue and explained to Derek Johnson that Burt McCrimom may handle this issue the way he handled the Matta incident. I understood that this Father,
Son and Holy Ghost approach was not working up to the point that he had to cover up for Burt McCrimon, plus the Matta issue reflecting racial discrimination explaining that Matta’s brother
was a wealthy man and the door was left open for a law suit. Derek Johnson accepted that what was done was wrong. I also told him that I am not the type of person to go running directly to
Jeff Jones every time there was an issue at hand. I wholeheartedly felt after leaving Derek Johnson’s office, that we were part of the solutions, not the problems.
On my day off, Saturday, August 15th, 2008, I was called by one of my caseload student’s mother (Mrs. Marrero) explaining that her son had had an accident while working in the wood shop
making wooden crosses to be sold at different locations. She was very worried and would like to speak to her son. I explained that I was off that day, but would call the staff on duty asking
them to allow student to call her. I also told her not to worry, knowing that in my first session with her son as his assigned counselor, I knew that she had paid the $700.00 for induction fee with
a credit card. She was going through great sacrifice to have her son there. I had also spoken to student’s probation officer, Mrs. Stevenson, answering her questions and explaining that upon
her request, I would be able to send her copies of all the student’s general notes. I simply told the student’s mother that Teen Challenge was covered by Workmen’s Compensation, if student
was working at the time of the accident. I would try to have student call her. I tried called fellow counselors Dwight Collins and Larry Turner to inform them of the situation. I spoke to Dwight
Collins and informed him of the situation.
Early that evening Derek Johnson called me and told me that Burt McCrimon was very disturbed because I had told Student Marrero’s mother that we had the Workman’s Compensation
insurance and that the student was not authorized to be in that area. I told him that was a secure area and I very much doubted that the student was not sent to work there.
Note: Around the time I would leave work at night at 10:30 PM, I would ride around the campus before going home. I saw another student in front of that area and asked him what he was doing
there. He answered that they were out of crosses to sell and that he would have to be working all night.
Derek’s exact words were “well I suppose we did not train you not to give parents that type of information.” I reminded Derek of our conversation in his office the week before and I told him that
I would not tolerate Burt McCrimon’s verbally disrespecting me as he has done to so many students and coworkers in the past. I told him that I did not do anything wrong and that there are
two big signs one in front of the file room and another on the bulletin board in front of the main Chapel announcing we have Workmen’s Compensation. Derek insisted that I did do wrong . I
told him that if not being trained meant to break the law and being called on my day off and that Burt had already made a big issue over this incident. I told Derek Johnson that I was getting
upset because I perceive that Burt McCrimon was going to pursue this matter. I informed Derek Jonhson that I would file a report with the Florida Commission on Human Relations and that I
was going to call immediately my lawyer to document our conversation, and then I hung up the phone.
The reason I said that Burt McCrimon has verbally abused and up to the point of yelling at another staff member ( Juan Garcia, Education Coordinator, Supervisor, Counselor/Teacher) and
telling him that he was going to beat him up. At that time, Pastor Harry Rentas (a former pastoral counselor/teacher) had to intervene and almost get physical with Burt McCrimon defending
Juan Garcia. Burt admitted that for some time he had been drinking alcohol on the job. I really do not know what happened after that. I was not working for Teen Challenge at that time (it was
before I began working there), but it was confirmed to me by Pastor Harry Rentas. At the beginning of August of 2008, Juan Garcia told me in his office, trying to minister to me on the matter
his tolerance and up to what point he had to tolerate Burt McCrimon’s abuse for the love of Christ. (I call it racial discrimination to the point of premeditation of finding an excuse, or excuses to
get me fired). Derek Johnson had told me over the phone that Burt McCrimon had told him that the student had authorization and was not supposed to be working in that area. I have been
informed by student’s mother that Teen Challenge admitted sending the student there, but had not trained him yet to use the machine which cut and damaged his finger. It seems to me that
after I spoke to Derek, as in other occasions before, documents were doctored; stories change to avoid Teen Challenge’s liabilities. In this particular matter, where was the supervisor at that
time to prevent the use of the machine and protect the student from injury.
On Monday, August 18th, 2008, before arriving to work, Derek called me ordering me to report to Jeff Jones’ office. Upon arrival, I was asked to sit and I noticed two papers facing me on top of
Jeff Jones’ desk. Jeff Jones grabbed one of the papers and asked me if I had been spreading a rumor that Melody-----------the Ex -Executive Director’s assistant, then became the financial
director working under Jeff Jones, was having a romantic affair with the Ex Executive Director, Wayne Gray. I told Jeff Jones that the new Financial Director and Human Resources Director,
Nathan Mintle, (brought in by Jeff Jones) communicated to me his findings about Wayne Gray and Melody.
A week before this meeting, when I asked Nathan Mintle if I could speak to Melanie Yomes in charge of Human Recourses at our Cooperate office on a private matter, Nathan told me that the
rules had changed and we were not allowed to make any contact to the cooperate offices any more, that Jeff Jones had changed the rules. That same day I mentioned this to Derek Johnson.
Nathan Mintle spoke to me in Spanish and told me that he had just spent four hours with Melody speaking to the corporate office and it showed that she was very incompetent. I responded
that I had heard that the only reason that Wayne had her there was because she did most of his work and was very cheap labor. Nathan Mintle told me that, yes she did most of his work
(Wayne Gray) but he was paying her $40,000.00 a year and that he (Nathan ) had intercepted some very romantic e-mails between her and Wayne Gray. Jeff Jones replied that she did not
earn $40,000.00 a year. Nathan Mintle had just informed me that due to the many discrepancies found in the books by Jeff Jones, Jeff brought in a CPA to investigate the books.
I had heard from students and from the televised investigations being conducted on the telemarketing phone room, about discrepancies at the Sanford Teen Challenge program. I also told
Nathan, in his capacity of Human Resources’ Director, that I had heard from students that worked for Americo Inc. (one of the telemarketing companies) that Wayne Gray may had been
receiving $300,00000 a year from them. (I did not tell him that one of the student’s room director for the Americo phone room for almost a year had told me that Wayne Gray would constantly
enter into the Americo phone room offering incentives for higher sales. He would pull out money from his pocket constantly to buy Domino Pizzas for spiffs when sales were high.) The
student director of the phone room told me that Wayne Gray hardly ever was in the other phone rooms and that it would not surprise him that Wayne Gray was still receiving checks from
Americo, Inc. Other students had mentioned that this matter may be an ongoing FBI investigation.
I mentioned to Nathan that I had seen Wayne Gray riding around the campus in his Avalanche with Melody a few times after their working hours after 7:00 PM. My last words to Nathan on
these issues were “my name is West and I have nothing to do with this mess.” (Exactly the same phrase I told Jeff Jones and Derek Johnson when referring to this matter.) Jeff Jones asked
me two times, if I had mentioned this to anybody else. I truly do not remember, but I did mention it to my wife and she told me that I should not mention it to anyone else the conversation with
Nathan. Jeff Jones exclaimed and said, “there, your wife, that’s talking to other people about this.” In that moment, I understood that one of the reasons in his witch hunt was to use these
questions which were written down in one of the papers shown to me. I believe they were accusations to be used to fire me at that time.
Jeff Jones asked me about hanging up the phone on Derek Johnson. My answer to Jeff Jones is documented on Pages 4 and 5 of this document. I also told them of students that were
discriminated by Burt McCrimon. The directors Wayne Gray, Derek Johnson and now Jeff Jones would discharge students accepting Burt McCrimon’s assessment without consulting the
counselors and/or staff members, which had more involvement with the student, or students. Burt McCrimon has constantly violated a very fundamental part and history of love and
compassion which started 50 years ago on the streets of New York City by the founder of Teen Challenge, David Wilkerson. His ministry reached out to black and Hispanics starting with the
conversion to Christ of one of the leaders of a Hispanic gang member by the name of Nicky Cruz, a Puerto Rican. (On one occasion, Burt McCrimon referring to Pastor Jorge in Puerto Rico
which has sent hundreds of Puerto Rican young men in need, paying for their transportation to Teen Challenge, Burt told me that Pastor Jorge “used to send us good Hispanic drug addicts,
now what he sends us is garbage.”) I mentioned in our conversation that the following students had been discriminated under the supervision of Teen Challenge. (A ministry of God to help
addicts.)
1. Jonathan Oquendo
2. Hugo Cardona
3. Roberto Matta
4. Nelson Rodriquez
5. Jose Delgado
6. Christian Buscayrol (Teen Change Graduate)
7. Samuel Molina (Teen Challenge Graduate)
I mentioned incidents with details of what I recalled at that moment. I also told Jeff Johnson that in one occasion I had my wife bake a flan for Burt McCrimon in gratitude for him having a
student install an electric window motor in my Jeep, since the window had been forced when I left my car over night at Teen Challenge parking. I was taken to the hospital by my wife that day.
I explained how when I gave Burt McCrimom the flan, I told him that it was a typical Spanish dessert. Burt McCrimon answered that he knew what a flan was that he was married to a Cuban
and that was why he treated Hispanics the way he did.
I also mentioned to Jeff Jones that on another occasion, I was translating for a Hispanic intake over the phone. I went and explained in front of student Josh Stilman that the person had a
heroin habit. Burt told me that they needed money, due to the low numbers of students enrolled. If he had $150.00 to tell him to come in, that we would put him in the dorm full of bed bugs.
And after a few days, we will send him to a detox (expressing to Josh Stillman “isn’t that the way you and I did it. This is the Teen Challenge way”. Neither Josh Stillman, nor I answered. I know
that we do not have a detox center and how difficult it is for a heroin addict to quit cold turkey. The odds were that the intake would leave within the next 24 hours and Teen Challenge would
have made $150.00.) What is in prentices was not mentioned to Jeff Jones. I gathered that he knew what I meant. I told Jeff openly that Burt McCrimon was a racist. I reminded him that he
had declared in the general staff meeting that we were going to feed our workers good when they were working hard labor in Disney’s Hotels for 12 hours a day off campus and yet they were
getting only two sandwiches per day. Jeff Jones said that he had heard enough, that now I was accusing him. He told me that I was not happy here and I answered no, then why are you here.
I answered because God had placed me here, (I did not say that I was here because I respected, admired and was grateful to Jeff Jones for paying me 60 hours when I was in the hospital.
For a little while I thought that he was going to let God’s light shed upon this whole mess. I was wrong). Jeff told me to sign the papers and that I was resigning. I told him no and asked him if
he was firing me. He said yes, sign the papers. I told him the only thing that I wanted was that when I finish my Net studies to be certified, to have the CAP, Program Director, Derek Johnson,
sign my hours of counseling. I looked at Derek and he knotted, understanding what I meant. Jeff Johnson told me to sign the papers. The accusations of spreading the rumor of Wayne Gray
and Melody I did not sign. I asked for a copy. He told me if I did not sign, he would not give me a copy. As to the second paper, I read about giving information that I was not supposed to give to
a student’s mother. I asked him to read it to me and told him that this was wrong that I would sign it to get my copy. (He never gave me a copy.) After I signed, I pulled out of my pocket my cell
phone, which is also a cam recorder and camera and pointed it at Jeff Jones, Derek Johnson and the two documents saying that I would be reporting this to The Florida Commission of
Human Rights and that this whole conversation had been recorded. Jeff Jones jumped out of his chair with great rage in his eyes. He told me to get out of his office that I could not use that
recording legally because I did not inform them beforehand that I was recording. My answer was that I could use it to go public. Jeff Jones was enraged telling me to get out of his property that
they would pack up my things. My last words in his office as I looked directly into his eyes what It is, all about money isn’t it Jeff. He lowered his head and did not say another word. I extended
my hand to shake his as I left he did not respond. I told him God Bless and walked to my car and called 911 and asked for police assistance. I explained to the officer upon his arrival that I had
just been fired and was denied access to my personal belongings in the office. Jeff Jones and Derek Johnson spoke to the officer and opened the office noticing that they had changed the
locks. I gave him the keys to the old lock and other related keys. As all of my property was being checked, I told Jeff that I was a man of God and he was treating me like a criminal. He
answered “you’re the one that called the police.”
As of today 3-11-09 I was informed and verified that Burt McCrimson was arested by the Police for DUI and that they found drug parfenailia in his office. This they cannot cover up by saying he
is no longer with us!
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| Sanford, Fla. Teen Challenge: Sex, Drugs, and Racial Discrimination |