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Taylor Releases Williams County Ag Society Audit

More than $3,000 in misused money, $75,000 donation not recorded

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Williams County -

State Auditor Mary Taylor released the 2005-06 audit for the Williams County Agricultural Society.  The findings showed that $3,155.59 was inappropriately spent.  The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has been notified.

“This audit, like so many I’ve seen since taking office, reports that local entities spending public money need to strengthen their policies and procedures, commonly referred to as internal controls, to prevent mishandling of taxpayer money,” said Taylor.

Auditors noted that the society’s secretary and treasurer, Gaylene Carpenter, was issued a credit card by the Williams County Agricultural Society Board for business purposes.  The audit revealed Carpenter spent $1,879.59 for personal purposes and the dollars must be repaid to the society.  Additionally, Carpenter is also responsible for paying $1,276 to the society for uncollected ride ticket money.

The following are other significant findings in the audit report:

• A $75,000 donation from the Bryan Area Foundation was not recorded in annual financial statements
• The society’s bank account records were not periodically balanced
• The Board of Directors did not review financial statements on a regular basis
• No records were kept regarding admission tickets

The Ohio Auditor of State’s Office is one of the largest accounting offices in the nation.  The office strives to ensure that all public funds are spent legally and appropriately and works aggressively to root out fraud, waste and abuse in public spending. Taylor encourages anyone suspecting fraud or misspending of public dollars to contact her office toll free at 1-866-FRAUD-OH (1-866-372-8364).

A full copy of the audit is available online at http://www.auditor.state.oh.us/AuditSearch/Reports/2007/Williams_Agricultural_Society_05_06-Williams.pdf