DWD leader steps down

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - There's a new man overseeing the dispensation of unemployment benefits for the state. Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Mark Everson announced he's leaving state government to join the private sector.

Everson has served as DWD commissioner since June 2010. His move to the private sector comes two months after I-Team 8's investigation of the department's $2 billion unemployment insurance debt. During that investigation, we requested an interview with Everson seven times. Each time our request was denied.

Scott Sanders is replacing Everson. Sanders has served as the department's deputy commissioner for systems information and analysis since July 2010. That means he's been in charge of the DWD's computer modernization project - a project that is now four years overdue and at least $20 million over budget.

I-Team 8's Deanna Dewberry asked him about that at Wednesday's Unemployment Insurance Board meeting.

"It's a very complicated project. I think - as you know with the stories you've ran - it's very intricate. So we continue to work towards the progress of the project and bringing it to completion," he said.

He said he expects the project to be complete by the end of the year.

I-Team 8 will be watching. The project was supposed to be finished in spring 2008, and there have been many missed deadlines since then.

But when I-Team 8 began asking about specific systems problems that have been leaked, Sanders ended the interview, saying he was busy.

I-Team 8 continues to hear from DWD employees and the unemployed about issues that concern them. Our team will continue to investigate what's happening behind the walls of your DWD.