Investigation leads to Mark Robinson's wife repaying $132,000

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday ordered Balanced Nutrition Inc., a nonprofit led by Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s wife, to repay more than $132,000 in federal funding following a finding of “serious deficiencies” against the organization earlier this week.

Yolanda Hill has operated Balanced Nutrition since 2015, helping child care centers apply for and receive federal funding for kids’ meals.

Balanced Nutrition improperly billed the federal food program, according to a letter Friday, including excessive administrative costs and inadequate documentation for some food purchases. The nonprofit also bought items not allowed for the childcare program.

“The full disallowance owed by Balanced Nutrition, Inc. to the State agency is $132,118.86,” DHHS said in its letter to the organization. “Please note, disallowances are separate from the Notice of Serious Deficiency, which requires documentation of the proposed corrective action.”

On Friday, DHHS told NC Newsline it was seeking reimbursement for labor expenses claimed for Kimberly Cephas, Hill’s daughter. The agency said Balanced Nutrition violated program regulations by employing Cephas without disclosing the relationship. The program requires DHHS approval for such hires.

Earlier this year, Hill informed the clients of Balanced Nutrition that she was shutting down her nonprofit because of her husband’s campaign for governor. Hill made the abrupt decision as the state was preparing to conduct a compliance review of her organization. She later claimed that the DHHS was targeting Balanced Nutrition because of her husband. She has since refused to meet with DHHS officials.

Friday’s letter notes that Hill did not respond to multiple attempts by the state agency to set up a meeting to discuss the findings.

Though Hill officially shut down Balanced Nutrition on April 30, she must still respond to their requests because the agency had already scheduled a compliance review to begin two weeks prior to that date.

“The State agency has made multiple attempts to schedule an in-person exit conference, by email, telephone, and written communication, with no response,” the letter said.

Balanced Nutrition has two weeks to submit a plan of correction for the earlier finding of “serious deficiency.”

NC Newsline reached out to Hill earlier this week seeking comment on the findings. She has not responded.

NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Rob Schofield for questions: info@ncnewsline.com. Follow NC Newsline on Facebook and X.