Auditors investigating possible misuse of funds by AIDS agency

ST. LOUIS - A local AIDS agency that hired a gay-porn movie star to speak to a gathering of young gay men last summer is under scrutiny by auditors from the St. Louis comptroller&#39;s office.<br> <br> The auditors are examining the books of Blacks Assisting Blacks Against AIDS. The agency is already being investigated by the city Department of Health, which has frozen its spending from a federal grant. The health department is reviewing whether the group improperly spent some of its $96,000 federal grant to fight syphilis - and whether the star acted appropriately during his presentation.<br> <br> A spokesman for Comptroller Darlene Green said Tuesday that city auditors are examining invoices and other financial records of the syphilis grant and another federal grant of about $200,000. The group received both from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.<br> <br> Two former employees of the group alleged that the actor stripped and had sexual contact with guests at a &#34;safer sex&#34; party on July 20 in the downtown residence of Erise Williams Jr., the group&#39;s executive director.<br> <br> Bruce Hopson, the group&#39;s lawyer, denied the allegations, but acknowledged that the gay-porn star appeared in a towel and boots during part of his presentation.<br> <br> The group paid $500 to Edgar Gaines, whose porn movie name is Bobby Blake, for his appearance at Williams&#39; home. Hopson said Blake&#39;s appearance clad in a towel is legitimate &#34;if that&#39;s what it takes to get the message across.&#34;