News Summary
An audit in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, has revealed over $30,000 in misappropriated funds due to ethical violations and unauthorized employee actions. Key findings include unauthorized drainage improvement requests linked to a conflict of interest and misuse of government vehicles for personal use. The Ascension Parish Government plans to implement new policies to ensure compliance and restore integrity in financial practices, addressing ongoing concerns about public fund management.
Gonzales, Louisiana – An audit has uncovered significant misappropriation of funds and ethical violations within the Ascension Parish Government, amounting to over $30,000 in misused public resources for the year 2024. The investigation, conducted by Faulk and Winkler, highlights two critical cases involving unauthorized expenses and non-compliance with federal regulations.
The first major finding involves an employee’s unauthorized request for drainage improvements on private property. This incident incurred costs of approximately $21,765 and was characterized by a conflict of interest; the property owner was a relative of the employee who made the request. The request was submitted at a time when the public works director was unable to oversee decisions due to medical leave. This particular work had previously been denied since it was not related to parish property. Following the discovery of the violation, the responsible employee was terminated.
In a separate case, another unnamed employee was found to have misused a government vehicle for personal purposes over an eight-month period, resulting in expenses exceeding $8,000. This misuse led to the employee’s termination as well.
Former Chief Administrative Officer Ruth Phillips indicated that the administration is committed to reporting incidences of fraud and misappropriation to appropriate authorities, which include the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and local law enforcement agencies. This proactive measure highlights a commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
The audit also identifies two additional deficiencies outside the cases of employee misconduct. One pertains to the inconsistent monthly reconciliation of intergovernmental grant revenues, raising concerns about potential revenue misstatements. The absence of regular reconciliations could lead to inaccurate financial reporting and a lack of oversight in government operations.
The second deficiency relates to the improper disposal of federally funded equipment. The Ascension Parish Government failed to adhere to federal rules when it sold sewer assets in April 2024, specifically equipment acquired with federal funds valued over $10,000. Federal regulations mandate that non-federal entities must seek guidance for disposing of such assets, and the government must also account for payments owed to the federal agency that allocated the funds.
In light of the findings from the audit, Chief Financial Officer Dawn Caballero has announced that new policies are being implemented to rectify the identified deficiencies and ensure compliance with regulations moving forward. These changes aim to restore integrity and confidence in the financial practices of the Ascension Parish Government.
This audit follows up on previous concerns raised about the management of public funds in the parish, including a similar incident involving a former vegetation supervisor. While there may be connections between the ongoing issues and past violations, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor could not definitively establish these links in the current audit.
The Ascension Parish Government’s commitment to addressing these issues may signify a shift towards improved governance and fiscal responsibility. The ongoing scrutiny of its practices will be essential in ensuring that taxpayer funds are safeguarded and used appropriately for the benefit of the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Advocate: Ascension Audit on Public Funds
- Wikipedia: Government Accountability
- The Advocate: Donaldsonville 2024 Audit Report
- Google Search: Public Funds Misappropriation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Audit
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