Bill Whymark News Today

A Nebraska lawmaker wants a state probe of allegedly fraudulent dealings within the Kansas-based nonprofit that formerly managed Omaha-area child welfare cases.

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago disciplined the Rev. Robert Smith for his poor judgment as the CEO of the largest foster care provider in Kansas, requiring him to undergo ethics and fiduciary training.

Watch selected clips from our best of video journalism in 2020. LINCOLN — Buying thousands of dollars’ worth of Chicago Cubs tickets was a “unique fundraising opportunity” for the Kansas-based nonprofit that oversees child welfare cases in the Omaha area, according to its former president and CEO. The Rev. Bobby Smith, who led St. Francis Ministries until late October, took issue with reports about the purchase in a statement to the World-Herald Tuesday. “While I am dis...

NewsSportsEntertainmentLifestyleOpinionUSA TODAYObituariesE-EditionLegals Kansas foster care leader charged $469K to credit cards, hid financial losses CEO of Saint Francis Ministries used company credit cards while hiding increasingly dire financial problems for board of directors By Sherman Smith As the CEO of Saint Francis Ministries, Robert Smith used company credit cards for lavish hotel stays, first class upgrades on airlines, clothing, cash withdrawals, iTunes purchases and meals at five...