00:00Disability Rights Advocacy Service has been helping South Australians with disabilities
00:07for nearly 40 years, but clients were left shocked last month when they were told the
00:11organisation would be closing its doors immediately.
00:15It has since confirmed services are continuing.
00:18The ABC understands a federal government investigation is underway into the handling of grant funding
00:24by past management of the service.
00:26While details of the investigation aren't public, financial reports show the service
00:31lost more than $360,000 last financial year, including more than $100,000 on a legal service
00:38which had not yet launched.
00:41Former Chief Executive of DRAS, David McGinlay, told the ABC the organisation decided to fund
00:46its new legal arm, DRAS Legal, without government support, to highlight the significant demand
00:52within the community.
00:53He said all expenditure on DRAS and DRAS Legal was approved by the board.
00:59Despite opening the arm in July last year, the organisation was told in December that
01:03DRAS Legal would not receive government funding.
01:06It was dismantled within weeks.
01:09In a statement, the Department of Social Services said it's aware of concerns raised about the
01:13grant activities of past management, and it's working with current leadership on continuing
01:18its services under grant agreements.
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