POUGHKEEPSIE – In July, through the Learn, Play, Create Grant Program in 2022, funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Learn, Play, Create Grant Program came under scrutiny from County Comptroller Dan Aymar-Blair in 2025 after his office audited the program.
An audit of the program’s funding disbursements found the money was paid before services were provided, something .
In 2022, the county awarded $20,000 to Poughkeepsie Rising, with City of Poughkeepsie Fifth Ward Councilwoman Ondie James as its president and Gully Sanford, a Dutchess County BOCES board member, serving as treasurer. The grant application indicated that the funds were being used to produce a play.
Under the grant contract, Poughkeepsie Rising was required to submit receipts and invoices to justify the specific activities funded by the grant. The county alleges in the lawsuit that Poughkeepsie Rising failed to respond to repeated requests by the county’s Department of Planning and Development for the required receipts. In December, the county sent letters to Sanford stating that it would initiate a lawsuit if the receipts were not received by January 16, 2026. Poughkeepsie Rising did not respond to the letter sent via certified mail and email to Sanford, or to the email sent to Councilwoman Ondie James.
At no time did Mid-Hudson News imply that Councilwoman James was being sued individually.
At a recent city council meeting, a member of the public spoke about the pending litigation. The day after the meeting, James, who did not respond to July requests for comment from Mid-Hudson News, issued a statement on social media.
More than a month after the article was published, Councilwoman James said: “I am issuing this statement in response to a recent media article in the Mid Hudson News that publicly referenced my name in connection with a former leadership position that I held with the Poughkeepsie Rising Organization approximately three years ago.” Court documents filed with the Dutchess County Clerk indicate that Councilwoman James was personally served with the lawsuit on June 29, 2026, at her residence. “First of all, I respect and strongly believe in the importance of accountability. I’m fully obligated to provide the public with accurate context regarding my former role and to distinguish that role from the financial and grant-administration responsibilities referenced in the article.”
The statement from Councilwoman James continued, saying:
“I served as President, of the organization during a previous period of its operation. Throughout my tenure, of 2022-2024, I served as an unpaid volunteer. My role was primarily that of an organizational representative, supporting the mission, and assisting the basic tasks of the newly established organization. During my tenure my role was strictly ceremonial. I did not at any time manage the organization’s grants, secure nor prepare grant reports, record keeping , or grant- compliance documentation, nor oversee grant expenditures, or handle the organization’s financial reporting requirements, that was directly handled by executive administration.
My involvement with Poughkeepsie Rising was rooted in my sincere belief that the organization could become a valuable artistic hub and a great asset to the City of Poughkeepsie and the Hudson Valley. I dedicated my personal time and energy toward supporting the organization’s inaugural production, in its efforts, and vision to promote the Arts and Theater Industry here in our city.
I want to make it perfectly clear that my involvement with the organization ended when I resigned from my position as President and Board Member in 2024. Consequently, I have absolutely no liability, or alleged misappropriation, or financial wrongdoing WHATSOEVER…I appreciate my legal and professional representation in navigating this matter. ALL factual information should be considered, and investigated in its entirety, before statements and conclusions are made .
As an elected official , I have a duty to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency. I fully stand on that and I always will. I remain focused, and committed to serving the residents of the 5th Ward , and the City of Poughkeepsie. It’s a privilege to work alongside our Mayor Yvonne Flowers, City Administration, City Council, and Colleagues.”
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