Fall River’s Substance Abuse Grants Coordinator Michael Aguiar spent several thousand dollars from grant funds on a room at a five-star luxury hotel, room service, and car rental during a three day conference to New York City in 2016. According to public records, Aguiar went to the conference six months after being appointed by Mayor Jasiel Correia II to serve in that position. Aguiar stayed at the Ritz Carlton where the conference was held, rented a luxury SUV, then stayed one night after the conference and charged the trip to the city’s Department of Community Health and Human Services.
This issue was brought up last night by City Councilor Linda Pereira during the budget hearing to the Director of the city’s Health and Human Service Director Dr. Henry R. Vaillancourt, who oversees Aguiar. Dr. Vaillancourt told Pereira his department goes over grant funded requests like this one and okayed the NYC trip, but Pereira was upset about Aguiar staying at a pricey hotel and charging the city when there are thousands of people suffering from substance abuse issues every day. Pereira also stated she did not say that Aguiar did anything illegal.
Correia attempted to create a new position intended for Aguiar in January 2016 after first taking office. The council voted leave to withdraw, essentially taking it off the table until the mayor made a new request. Correia did not, and Aguiar was brought in as the grant coordinator at a salary of $65,000, which did not require council approval. He had previously held the position part-time when he worked at the Stanley Street Treatment and Resource Center (SSTAR.)
Charged to a 2015 Partnership for Success grant, which focuses on prescription drug abuse of high school students, were an $800 reimbursement for the conference registration; $2,466 for the four-day stay at Ritz Carlton; $1,229 for the SUV including parking; and $176 for meals including a charge to room service.
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