The audit report of Leawood was released today online. In it, findings include over $325K of missing funds from the city between 2002 and 2008 along with confirmation that bank statements provided by the former Village Treasurer Gene Paul Boyd were fabricated. (Boyd was charged last February with stealing). The findings do no go back prior to 2002, but the accounts in question date back to 1978.
The audit includes this paragraph describing where the funds went:
Village checks totaling $37,300 were made payable to the former Village Treasurer from the village's official bank account between November 15, 2002, and October 16, 2008. These checks were not approved by the Village Board and according to village officials, signatures on these checks were forged. Additionally, village funds totaling $290,433 were diverted into an unauthorized bank account (unknown to Village Trustees) between November 15, 2002 and October 16, 2008. Disbursements from this unauthorized account included checks totaling $286,660 issued to the former Village Treasurer, $1,604 for bank charges and postage, and $2,169 returned to the village.
The report went on to say that poor accounting procedures and a general lack of oversight by village officials contributed to the loss.
Even an potential nepotism finding was included that stated the Village Secretary, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees, voted to appoint her spouse to fill one of two vacant board positions.
The audit ‘yellow sheet’ can be found here.
It will be nice to have a state audit in Neosho. It should have been done when the last manager left...some called for it so there would be a clear line of distinction between two managers...this was called for as a benefit to the outgoing and the incoming manager.
ReplyDeleteIf rumors are true that we will have an interim city manager, let's pray it isn't going to be someone in city hall now...I recommend Cheryl Mosby....that would put people on notice and generate some discipline..
How about it, Richard....will you recommend Cheryl as a temp? Best qualified person around.
Instead of getting Cheryl, I understand we get a council mostly interested in saving their own hide rather than taking care of business....
ReplyDeleteSorry to tell certain council members, but the mud is going to splatter. We can only hope it hits anyone who got their hands dirty.