NEWARK — Newark City Councilwoman Mildred Crump is in hot water with the state comptroller's office after allegedly steering about $20,000 in taxpayer money to non-profit organizations she founded or was involved in, according to documents obtained by The Star-Ledger.

Comptroller A. Matthew Boxer’s office conducted an audit of city spending practices earlier this year and issued a preliminary report last month, according to documents.

The report, a portion of which was obtained this week by the newspaper, says that in 2010, Crump steered $17,000 in city funds to a non-profit group called the Global Women’s Leadership Collaborative for a leadership summit in Ghana, West Africa. On her City Hall biography, Crump says she is a founding member the group.

“This $17,000 payment to an organization with which the council member is associated appears to present a conflict of interest and violation of the Local Government Ethics Law,” Boxer’s office wrote in the report.

Documents show the money came from the city’s general fund. Crump, however, insists she paid her own expenses for the trip.

Boxer’s report did not state how long the trip lasted or whether anyone accompanied Crump.

The report also found a payment, for $2,850, that was used to cater a Gospel music event hosted by the City Council and the World Gospel Music Association, another group in which Crump is an active member.

This payment appears to violate state ethics laws as well, Boxer said, adding the matter would be referred to the Local Finance Board, a division of the state Department of Community Affairs, for further investigation.

In an interview yesterday, Crump said she was taken aback by the report but had nothing to hide.

“When I had my meeting with the investigative team, they left giving me the impression that everything was fine,” Crump said. “I did not pretend then, nor do I pretend now, that I have not had a working relationship with both of those organizations. They don’t pay me.”

Crump is not the first Newark official to travel to Ghana. Since the 1990s, city officials have made similar trips there to foster an exchange of ideas and cultures with its sister city, Kumasi, in South Ghana.

The late Councilman Donald Tucker and former Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins “were enstooled as ‘Nana’ in previous trips,” according to city documents. ‘Nana’ is a term signifying royalty in the West African nation.

In 2008, Crump traveled to Ghana on a 12-day trip funded directly by the city, documents show. That trip, too, was hosted by the Global Women’s Leadership Collaborative and cost taxpayers $16,000 for transportation, accommodations, educational materials and support staff.

By 2010, City Hall was facing steep cuts in state aid. More than 800 employees were laid off including 163 police officers. Taxes went up 16 percent and the city had to sell off more than a dozen buildings and lease them back to close a $40 million deficit.

Despite the financial problems, city leaders came up with the $17,000 to pay for the trip to Ghana.

The invoice presented to the city by the Global Women’s Leadership Collaborative says the entire amount went for “technical assistance work” at a rate of $100 an hour for 170 hours.

Crump said she told state officials from Boxer’s office she paid her own expenses for the trip.

The scant documentation surrounding payment for the trip got the attention of the comptroller, who said the billing appeared to violate state law.

“A local government may not make payment to a vendor unless that vendor has provided ‘a detailed bill of items or demand,’” Boxer wrote.

Boxer’s office declined to comment on specific allegations in the report.

“Our audit of the city of Newark is not yet complete,” said Peter McAleer, a spokesman for the comptroller. “By policy, we don’t comment on audits that are still ongoing.”

Crump, the only woman on the nine-member City Council, has won numerous awards for her public service. She has served for three, non-consecutive, four-year terms.

She said the $17,000 used for the Ghana trip and the $2,850 catering bill were part of her “volunteer work” and said she looks forward to answering any further questions the comptroller might have.

“I’m perfectly willing to have additional meetings,” she said. “I’ve been here before where I’ve had to defend my integrity. People who know me, know that I live honorably.”

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