Investigators Say Former NBA Star Misused Grants

(AP) – Investigators have found irregularities in the way former NBA star and Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson spent federal money at his nonprofit, St. HOPE.

The findings were detailed in a letter to Johnson that also says he will be prohibited from receiving federal money while the investigation is under way.

St. HOPE receives federal money through AmeriCorps, which provides college grants to people who volunteer for certain community service programs.

Investigators from the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps grants, say the volunteers were assigned to run personal errands for Johnson and wash his car.

They also recruited students to attend St. HOPE Academy, engaged in political activities and traveled to New York to help promote an academy Johnson has opened in Harlem.

Johnson’s campaign characterized the problem as administrative errors.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)