BOLES HOLMES WHITE LLC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2021

JCCEO BOARD MEMBERS ENGAGED IN CHARACTER

ASSASSINATION
BIRMINGHAM, AL – In recent weeks, instead of focusing on serving the community and
continuing operations, some leaders of the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity
(JCCEO) have taken to the press and the airwaves to engage in character assassination of Sharon
Myles, the former JCCEO Executive Director to create a smoke screen and shift the blame for the
organization’s financial issues.
Consistent with her character, Ms. Myles has not engaged in the finger pointing and name calling
that has been coming from some associated with JCCEO. She will let her story be revealed through
the legal system in an anticipated civil action where she will have the power to put her accusers
under oath.
Until that time, it is imperative that certain facts be established to protect her reputation.
Most importantly, Ms. Myles never misappropriated any money from JCCEO.
Also, despite reports, there was never a $3 million deficit under her leadership – in fact, there was
NO deficit. Had she not been terminated on November 1, 2021, payroll would have been made,
and JCCEO would have continued operations. The JCCEO shutdown was the result of a cash flow
issue created by the delayed submission of ADECA reimbursement invoices after her termination.
The day she was terminated, JCCEO had over $900,000 in the bank, over $1,200,000 in collectible
monies that would have been received within 14 days, and another $1,000,000 that would have
been received within 30 days had the invoices been issued in a timely manner by JCCEO. These
reimbursement invoices had not previously been submitted due to ADECA’s pause on processing
reimbursements in light of a shutdown from mid-August until October 2021.
Additionally, the contracts that were cancelled by the Board upon Ms. Myles’ termination were
being paid for largely from temporary COVID funds and were never intended to be permanent,
full-time positions. Those contractors were added to JCCEO’s payroll system in mid-2021 as
contract employees upon the advice of JCCEO’s payroll system’s vendor.
With the exception of Rev. Jackson, valuable services were provided to JCCEO by each of the
individuals whose contracts were cancelled. As for Rev. Jackson, the lease for his building was

1929 3rd Avenue North, Suite 500 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203

Telephone: 205-502-2000 | Facsimile: 205-847-1285
drafted and negotiated by the Board attorney and was consistent with JCCEO’s needs for a building
that would allow social distancing for pre-school aged children and infants. When Rev. Jackson
was contracted, it was anticipated there would be a normal back-to-school date of August 2021.
When the opening date was pushed to late September 2021, it created a situation where he was
being paid to provide mental health services, but the children were not present in the facilities to
receive those services. This was not a situation created by Rev. Jackson or Ms. Myles.
The reality is Ms. Myles was not terminated for any mismanagement or ethical breach, but rather
due to an internal struggle for control. She questioned two bank accounts opened in JCCEO’s
name that she was not made aware of until late in her employment, that she never authorized, and
on which only one member of the Board had signatory authority. This board member was aware
that funds were being moved in and out of that account but did not disclose that information to
Ms. Myles. Nor was that information reflected in the audit reports approved by the Board. She
questioned debts incurred before she was hired and the legality of repaying those debts with Head
Start funds. She questioned board members about instances where JCCEO’s bylaws were not
followed and accused members of the Board of attempting to falsify Board minutes. This made
certain members of the Board uncomfortable with her continued presence as Executive Director.
Ms. Myles stands firm in her belief that these questions of the Board and its actions resulted in her
termination.
Ms. Myles has heard the requests for investigation and joins in those requests as she knows that is
the only way to fully clear her name. While she did not do so publicly at the time, she has herself
requested an investigation and looks forward to cooperating fully. Ms. Myles also demands a
retraction of the defamatory statements of the board members made about her in this matter.

Contact: William White, attorney for Sharon Myles

Boles Holmes White LLC
205-502-2000
wwhite@bhw.law

Rev. Dr. S. Todd Yeary, Esq., personal representative for Sharon Myles

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Boles Holmes White LLC is a full-service law firm specializing in transactional law, litigation,
government relations, and white collar/criminal defense.

1929 3rd Avenue North, Suite 500 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203

Telephone: 205-502-2000 | Facsimile: 205-847-1285