IRVINE : Council May Help Group Get Grants

The City Council tonight will decide whether to assist Irvine Temporary Housing in its effort to win $75,000 worth of federal grants.

The grants, which Irvine Temporary Housing would receive over three years, would be used by the nonprofit organization to provide transitional housing for those in need.

If the council gives its approval, the city would serve as a “co-applicant” for the grants--a move that could improve the organization’s chances of getting the money.

Receiving the Department of Housing and Urban Development grants would be a boost to the organization, which faced a check-forging scandal last year.

In April, the council reluctantly gave four condominiums and $82,000 to Irvine Temporary Housing--but only after urging the group to improve its financial controls and accounting practices.

The warning came after the organization’s fired executive director, Clyde E. Weinman, was accused in November, 1992, of allegedly forging board members’ signatures on agency checks and skimming at least $81,000 for his personal use.

Irvine Temporary Housing officials said they have improved accounting practices in a way that would make it all but impossible for someone to forge checks today without being discovered.