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Mayor asked about ‘retired’ department head still on the job

Posted at 8:15 AM, May 16, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-16 08:15:26-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - A departure date for the out-going Richmond Department of Social Services (DSS) director has not yet been set, according to a spokesperson for Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones.

Last week Jones said he had accepted the retirement of DSS Director Doris Moseley and the resignation of her former deputy Gayle Turner in response to a highly critical city audit of the department.

This week CBS 6 investigative reporter Catie Beck was tipped off Moseley was still on the job. When she attempted to interview Moseley about her departure, she refused to talk to Beck.

“The audit confirms the worst allegations that we could have thought of,” Jones said during an exclusive interview with Beck this week. “We recognize that there were administrative failures and just some basic failures of humanity and common sense.”

Last year DSS employees told CBS 6  that management at the agency made the emergency removals of children from abusive homes almost impossible. They indicated that it resulted in more abuse, more neglect and for some children more trips to the emergency room in the hands of the same caregiver.

“The report is difficult and painful to read. It highlights several failures in an agency charged with protecting our most vulnerable residents,” Jones said.

For the complete list of CBS 6 Investigative reports on the Department of Social Services, click here: Department of Social Services Investigations.

When asked about the employment status of Turner, the Mayor's spokesperson said she no longer worked for the city. The spokesperson would not say whether Turner was fired or if she resigned.