Bing fires No. 2 person at health department

Mayor Dave Bing's investigation into potential misspending at the city's health department yielded another firing this week, his office confirmed Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Bing fired Audrey Smith, a general manager and No. 2 person at the Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, which also is under a federal investigation because of accusations of widespread misuse of tax dollars.

Smith, who couldn't be reached for comment, had been suspended for a week last month on claims that she falsified time cards to rack up overtime for subordinates.

Bing also fired the department's director, Dr. Yvonne Anthony, on claims that her daughter was receiving paychecks from the city for alleged work, even though she lived out of state.

Anthony also couldn't be reached for comment.

The investigation is part of an ongoing probe into the misuse of federal grants at the health department and Department of Human Services, which lost its director, Shenetta Coleman, and three other employees to firings last month.

The investigations come after the Free Press revealed misspending and mismanagement of federal grants intended for poor Detroiters as part of an ongoing series of reports about the troubled agencies.

Bing's office also is investigating Human Services manager Deirdra Burford and a city contractor after the newspaper uncovered improper use of gift cards to buy high-end appliances, such as washers and dryers.

A day after the Free Press interviewed Burford for the report earlier this month, she took a monthlong sick leave, according to the mayor's office.

Burford and the contractor, Wayne Wilson, remain employed while the mayor's office investigates. Neither have been charged with a crime.