State accuses foster care agency of misusing funds

MIDDLETON, Wis. (AP) - State officials have accused a Middleton foster care agency of misusing nearly $5 million in taxpayer money.
    
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families has revoked the license of Community Care Resources. The state alleges the agency inflated salaries and spent money on luxury cars, personal travel and other inappropriate expenses between 2009 and 2011.
    
Owner Dan Simon has vigorously denied the allegations. The State Journal says Simon plans to appeal the revocation.
    
State regulators say Simon and his wife, Mary, earned at least $531,000 in inflated salaries. In addition, the state says CCR billed for more than $64,000 in personal travel, including trips to Alaska and Hawaii.
    
Community Care Resources says it provides foster-care services to about 200 children around Wisconsin.