Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost - Press Releases - Events and Training

Auditor Yost to Host and Speak at 11th Annual Fraud Conference

Mon, 16 May 2011 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus - Auditor of State Dave Yost will welcome more than 550 attendees to the 11th Annual Emerging Trends in Fraud Investigation and Prevention Conference on Monday, May 16, at 9:15 AM at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. The annual two-day conference will address the serious and growing problem of occupational fraud in both the public and private sectors.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to attend some of the most widely regarded seminars on fraud detection, deterrence and investigation. Auditor Yost will personally offer a workshop, Circumstantial Evidence Counts, at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17.

According to the 2010 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, it is estimated that the typical organization loses 5% of its annual revenues to occupational fraud and abuse.

This fraud investigation and prevention conference is co-sponsored by Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, the State of Ohio Office of Inspector General, the Central Ohio Chapter of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Ohio Society of CPAs and Franklin University.

Details on this year’s conference can be found online.

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The Auditor of State is one of five independently elected offices under the Ohio Constitution. Auditor Yost’s office is responsible for auditing over 5,600 state and local government agencies. Staff also works in partnership with state and local governments to deal effectively with financial, accounting and budgetary issues.

Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
(614) 728-7198

12th Annual Local Government Officials Conference

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus - In a speech to nearly 550 local government officials today at the 12th annual Local Government Officials Conference (LGOC), Auditor of State Dave Yost announced the roll out of the Leverage for Efficiency, Accountability and Performance (LEAP) Fund for performance audits.

“The cost of a performance audit is often an obstacle to struggling governments who could use one the most,” Auditor Yost said. “The LEAP Fund would advance to state agencies and local governments the cost of a performance audit, removing funding as the most serious barrier to using one.”

The LEAP Fund is part of Senate Bill 4 (performance audit legislation) just signed into law this week by Governor John Kasich. The bill requires the Auditor of State to conduct performance audits of certain state agencies each biennium.

The LGOC is a 2-day conference hosted by the Auditor of State’s office that provides a valuable continuing education opportunity for fiscal officers and other local officials. This conference is aimed to further develop their expertise in government accounting, budgeting and financing, legal compliance, ethics requirements and Ohio’s open government laws.

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Taylor Hosts Buckeye Boys and Girls State Delegates

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Photo includes: Michael Hall, Tim Schloz, Noah Hartman, Auditor of State Mary Taylor, Brittany Kosek, Jacklyn Scheid, Elizabeth Ritz

Auditor of State Mary Taylor this week honored six high
school students from around the state as her special guests in the state capital. The students participated in this year’s Buckeye Boys and Girls State programs, where they were elected to serve as various members of the Auditor of State’s Office.

“It was a pleasure hosting the students and their families as they visited the Auditor of State’s office and the Ohio Statehouse,” Taylor said. “These young people are leaders among their peers and made an outstanding contribution to the Buckeye Boys State and Girls State programs.”

Students visiting the Auditor of State’s office included:

Michael Hall (Beavercreek High School, Beavercreek): Staff Member, Auditor of State’s Office
Noah Hartman (Whitmer High School, Toledo): Auditor of State
Brittany Kosek (Highland High School, Medina): Chief Legal Counsel, Auditor of State’s Office
Elizabeth Ritz (Napoleon High School, McClure): Chief of Staff, Auditor of State’s Office
Jacklyn Scheid (Bellevue High School, Monroeville): City Auditor
Tim Schloz (Whitmer High School, Toledo): Staff Member, Auditor of State’s Office

The American Legion’s Buckeye Boys State and Buckeye Girls State programs provide high school juniors from across Ohio with hands-on experience in the operation of state government and the organization of political parties. This year’s Buckeye Boys State was held on the campus of Bowling Green State University from June 12 – 20. The 2010 Buckeye Girls State was held on the campus of Ashland University from June 13 – 19.

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The Ohio Auditor of State’s office is a leader in the government accounting and auditing field, earning prestigious national honors from the Government Finance Officers Association, National White Collar Crime Center and National State Auditors Association.

Contact:
Julia Debes
Deputy Press Secretary
(614) 644-1111

Taylor Announces Budget Sustainability Summit

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Local government officials facing a dismal budget outlook during this drawn out economic downturn will soon get much-needed guidance with the help of Ohio Auditor of State Mary Taylor. Taylor today announced a statewide budget sustainability summit developed to provide local officials with ways to produce sustainable budgets that reduce the size and cost of government in Ohio.

The Summit on Local Government Sustainability: Strategies and Solutions in a Time of Fiscal Crisis will take place in Columbus on Thursday, November 19, 2009.

“This summit is designed with long-term, sustainable budget ideas in mind,” Taylor said. “The goal is to provide local government officials with examples of leading practices and budget solutions that cut costs and reduce the size of government to a level that taxpayers are willing to fund.”

The summit will identify local governments that are thinking outside of the box and collaborating with one another to cut costs without sacrificing services and programs provided to local residents. The summit also includes panel discussions and presentations on a variety of budget sustainability topics, which include:

Identifying early warning signs of fiscal distress
Budget forecasting now and years into the future
Improving efficiencies today that could eliminate or reduce the impact of tomorrow’s financial problems
Examining the issues related to the Auditor of State’s fiscal watch and fiscal emergency designations

The National League of Cities recently released a report indicating that the economic downturn is taking its toll on municipalities throughout the country. The report, City Fiscal Conditions in 2009, reveals that nearly 90 percent of participating cities are having a tougher time meeting budget needs in 2009 than they did in 2008 – and many are expecting that scenario to continue well into 2010, 2011 and beyond.

In Ohio, the Auditor of State’s Local Government Services (LGS) section is monitoring the finances of more local governments in fiscal watch and emergency than ever before. Taylor’s fiscal watch/fiscal emergency list identifies 25 Ohio townships, villages and cities – and one county – currently experiencing significant deficits. LGS is monitoring an additional 20 local governments facing potential deficits and tough budgetary decisions.

Earlier this year, Taylor’s office conducted a fiscal analysis of Scioto County that revealed a deficit of more than $3.5 million as of June 30, 2009. On August 19, 2009, she placed Scioto County in fiscal emergency. Located in southern Ohio, Scioto County is the first Ohio county ever placed in fiscal emergency.

Auditor of State Mary Taylor’s Summit on Local Government Sustainability: Strategies and Solutions in a Time of Fiscal Crisis will take place on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Columbus Athenaeum, located at 32 North 4th Street, Columbus, OH 43215-3603. The cost is $15, which includes lunch. Participants will also receive 5.5 hours of continuing professional education credits.

The summit will draw on the resources of the Auditor of State’s office, several of Ohio’s local government associations, state agencies and leading experts in the area of local government collaboration.

For more information about the summit or to register, please visit: http://www.auditor.state.oh.us/conferences/default.htm.

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Taylor Announces New Fraud Training Program

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor today is announcing a newly developed training program to help local law enforcement officers investigate white collar crimes in non-governmental settings. Taylor’s office designed the two-day course, Financial Crimes 101, for both novice and experienced police detectives and offers participants a chance to immerse themselves in a simulated white collar crime case.

“Our office wants to help law enforcement investigate allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in local non-profits and businesses that fall outside of our jurisdiction,” Taylor said. “This class is part of my comprehensive approach to combat fraud statewide and I am pleased to assist local law enforcement officials in this way.”

Financial Crimes 101 is offered free of charge, with the help of a state grant, to local police detectives who investigate fraud or theft. As part of a class exercise, participants will examine the fraudulent financial documents of a simulated non-profit organization and solve the case.

Randy Meyer, the Auditor of State’s Chief of Investigations and Kevin Saionzkowski, Chief Auditor of Special Audits, will present the course. Meyer is a commissioned peace officer with more than 20 years of state and local crime fighting experience. Saionzkowski is a forensic auditor, a certified public accountant and a certified fraud examiner with more than 16 years of auditing experience.

For more information about the class, or to host a future Financial Crimes 101 training class, please contact Mandy Bankieris at 614-728-7130 or via e-mail at ANBankieris@auditor.state.oh.us.

This week, Taylor is joining the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners to recognize International Fraud Awareness Week November 9 – 15. The event is dedicated to the proactive effort of taking steps to identify and reduce the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and public education initiatives.

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Taylor Hosts Community School Training Workshop

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0400

Akron, OH -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor today hosts the first of two financial training workshops aimed at strengthening fiscal oversight and accountability in the state’s community school system. The workshops are one component of Taylor’s commitment to holding Ohio’s public entities accountable for the tax dollars they spend.

“The Auditor of State’s office stands out as a national leader for the variety of accounting and auditing services we provide to our clients and the taxpayers of Ohio,” Taylor said. “The day-long community school training seminars provide charter school officials with the knowledge they need to help improve the financial management of public tax dollars.”

The Ohio Auditor of State’s 2008 Community School Training workshops are specifically designed for charter school board members, fiscal officers, sponsors, coordinators and employees. Representatives from the Auditor of State’s office will present information on several auditing related topics which include outlining basic audit requirements, combating fraud, identifying public records and tips on completing grant applications.

The workshop takes place at the University of Akron’s Student Union in Akron, Ohio. The Auditor of State’s office is providing an additional workshop on August 19 at the Kings Island Resort Center in Mason, Ohio.

Taylor worked with the state legislature in 2007 to enact a plan to address record keeping deficiencies found in some of the state’s community school districts. The Ohio Department of Education can now withhold state funding if a community school is declared “unauditable.” The Auditor of State’s office declares a public organization unauditable, as a last resort, when administrators fail to submit complete financial statements and other documentation needed to support a routine annual audit.

The measure enacted by the state legislature also prohibits a school’s sponsor from opening any additional community schools while their financial records are considered unauditable. Once the situation is corrected, payments to the school can resume.

Last year, Taylor declared 19 Ohio community schools unauditable for fiscal year 2006. This year, only four charter schools have been declared unauditable for fiscal year 2007.

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Taylor’s Annual Report Receives National Recognition

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor today announced that the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been presented to the Auditor of State’s office by the Government Finance Officers Association. The award is the highest form of recognition for government accounting and financial reporting.

“This award is a direct result of the time and effort my staff dedicates to making sure taxpayer funds are spent appropriately,” said Taylor. “I would like to thank our finance team for their hard work compiling our annual financial report. This certificate of achievement represents our commitment to financial accountability.”

Entities that receive the Certificate of Achievement also receive the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement (AFRA). The AFRA is given to recognize the individuals responsible for the work involved in earning the Certificate of Achievement.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,000 government finance professionals.

Taylor Kicks Off Local Government Conference

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor today convenes the 9th annual Local Government Officials’ Conference. The conference is located at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus where more than 700 public officials will attend the three-day event.

“Whether you are an experienced local government official or just beginning your first term, our conference will equip you with the tools necessary to tackle your duties with confidence,” said Taylor. “Hundreds of Ohio public officials take advantage of this event each year to demonstrate their commitment to local government accountability.”

The conference reinforces the core fiscal and legal standards needed to run an efficient local government system. Themes of the event include:

• Government accounting
• Budgeting and financing
• Legal compliance
• Ethics
• Ohio Sunshine Laws

The conference focuses on issues related to smaller local governments and satisfies continuing education requirements outlined in the Ohio Revised Code for village clerks, clerk-treasurers, and fiscal officers. Additionally, officials have the opportunity to fulfill the public records training now required by state law. Ohio elected officials, or a designee, must attend a three hour public records training session once during each term in office. All conference attendees must pre-register.

The Auditor of State’s Local Government Services (LGS) section provides accounting advice to government agencies and political subdivisions in Ohio. Local government officials request the expertise of LGS to improve financial record keeping and to become better stewards of public funds. For more information about the many services provided by LGS, please visit www.auditor.state.oh.us.

Taylor Offers White Collar Crime Training

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0400

Cincinnati -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor is sponsoring training seminars for local law enforcement officers investigating electronic financial crimes this week in Hamilton County.

The Secure Techniques for Onsite Preview (STOP) class is tailored specifically to police detectives and investigators. Participants are shown how to preview a suspect computer system for potential evidence at a crime scene and how to properly retrieve and save electronic evidence.

“Computers and other electronic devices are used to commit white collar crimes,” Taylor said. “Criminals are smart but we have to be smarter and it is important to stay one step ahead of those seeking to commit fraud. I am proud to offer training programs that help to prevent or stop fraud, waste and abuse.”

Two classes are offered to law enforcement in Hamilton County this week. The first class takes place February 19 and 20 while the second class is scheduled for February 21 and 22. Both classes are located at the Great Oaks Public Safety Services Center in Cincinnati from 8 AM to 5 PM.

The director of the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Randy Meyer, will teach the STOP class. Meyer is certified to teach the course by the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Other sponsors of the STOP training classes in Cincinnati include the Hamilton County Police Association and the National White Collar Crime Center.

The Auditor of State’s office offers four training classes to local officials interested in enhancing anti-fraud measures. The classes offer training to investigate and prevent financial crimes.

The four classes are:

Cyber Investigation 100 – Identifying and Seizing Electronic Evidence (ISEE)
Law enforcement officers learn to improve their response to electronic crime scenes
Cyber Investigation 101 – Secure Techniques for Onsite Preview (STOP)
Law enforcement officers enhance their ability to search a computer system for evidence of fraud
Financial Crimes 101 – Keys to Unlocking Financial Crimes
Participants gain hands-on experience working a simulated financial crime
Fraud Prevention 101 – Fraud and Your Not-for-Profit Organization – Find it and Prevent it
Local non-profit groups such as youth sports organizations and church groups are provided with tips and techniques to significantly reduce the risk of fraud

For more information, or to schedule one of the four training classes, please contact the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364) or by e-mail at siutraining@auditor.state.oh.us.

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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). Since taking office in January 2007, Taylor has identified more than $10.8 million in public funds that were handled improperly, spent illegally or stolen and must be repaid.

Taylor Recognizes Olentangy Local School District for Excellent Financial Accountability

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Lewis Center -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor’s office presented Olentangy Local School District with the “Making Your Tax Dollars Count” award for the school’s fiscal year 2005 audit. Fewer than five percent of all Ohio government agencies are eligible for this award.

“I commend Olentangy Local School District for their commitment to fiscal accountability. Congratulations for your hard work and for being trustworthy stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Taylor.

Certain criteria must be met to receive the “Making Your Tax Dollars Count” award. Standards include:

• The entity must complete and submit a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
• There must be no findings, or issues, present in their most recent audit report.
• There must be no other financial concerns involving the entity.

Rebecca Jenkins, Olentangy Local School District Treasurer, accepted the award.

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A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE AWARD PRESENTATION IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Fraud Awareness Week Special Report

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

By encouraging all Ohioans to be a watchdog and report government fraud, Auditor of State Mary Taylor is putting public officials on notice that fraud, waste and abuse are not welcome in Ohio government. The Auditor of State Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is a very successful and integral component to fighting government fraud in Ohio.

“Our Special Investigations Unit is in the business of protecting your tax dollars. We want the citizens of our state to be aware of this valuable resource,” said Taylor. “During my term as Auditor of State, I will continue to utilize all resources and best practices available to ensure that Ohio government is free from inappropriate and illegal spending.”

This year, eight people have been criminally charged and six have been convicted of fraud related crimes as a direct result of investigations performed by the unit. Additionally, the office has released 13 special audits, or audits with a specific, narrow focus that have identified $386,619 in findings for recovery or misspent tax dollars.

Some of the most notable SIU cases include:

Andover Public Library
Ashtabula County
Audit released 1/04/2007
SUCCESS: This case identified $89,738.39 in misspent tax dollars.

The library’s most recent audit reported that the library clerk treasurer, Sonia Orahood, misspent $89,738.39 in taxpayer dollars. The audit report indicated that Orahood forged checks to pay to her credit card bill, did not withold hospitalization benefits from her paychecks, paid for personal purchases, and overcompensated herself from the library’s fund.

Additionally, she did not deposit cash receipts collected by the Library. Orahood was indicted on June 21, 2007 for theft and theft in office. Her trial is set for November 14, 2007.

Imani Leadership School
Cuyahoga County
Audit released 12/19/2006
SUCCESS: This case identified $341,166 in misspent tax dollars.

During preparations for the school’s financial audit, auditors noticed debit card purchases that were unrelated to the school’s activities. Purchases were made at restaurants, gas stations and retail stores. Additionally, the school was unable to provide financial records. The Auditor of State’s office subpoenaed records from the school’s bank and were able to recreate a financial history for the school.

The audit revealed $341,166 in misspent tax dollars that must be repaid. It also identified $482,159 in questioned costs because auditors could not locate voucher packages, checks, reports and other supporting documentation related to various federal grants received in fiscal years 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Several school administrators have been charged in this case. The trial for Donna Johnson, school Superintendent and Ernst Johnson, school board member, is scheduled to begin in December 2007.

Village of Mechanicsburg
Champaign County
Audit released 10/12/2004
SUCCESS: This case identified $99,661 in misspent tax dollars.

The Auditor of State SIU received an allegation through the fraud hotline, 1-866-FRAUD-OH, that the village clerk/income tax administrator, Susan Cantrell, was misusing funds. The special audit conducted by the Auditor of State revealed that Cantrell collected income tax receipts but they were not recorded, she illegally spent public funds from the Summer Celebration fund and she deposited village checks payable to various vendors into her personal account. She also overpaid herself and the former clerk.

Cantrell was sentenced on November 3, 2004 to 10 years in prison for her crime and must pay full restitution in the amount of $81,603.

To help spotlight Fraud Awareness Week, we will be highlighting other notable SIU success stories later in the week.

The Auditor of State SIU averages 550 allegations each year of fraud or misspending of public dollars. To report suspicious behavior contact the SIU office toll free at 1-866-FRAUD-OH (1-866-372-8364), by e-mail at www.auditor.state.oh.us or by mail.

Ohio Auditor of State’s Office
Special Investigations Unit
88 East Broad Street
P.O. Box 1140
Columbus, Ohio 43215

The Ohio Auditor of State’s Office is one of the largest accounting offices in the nation. The office serves more than 5,500 clients and issues approximately 3,400 audit reports each year.

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Fraud Awareness Week Special Report

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

As part of Fraud Awareness Week, Auditor of State Mary Taylor is asking all Ohioans to be a watchdog and report government fraud. All year long, the Auditor of State Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is working hard to successfully fight government fraud in Ohio.

“The SIU is a team of experts who are committed to protecting your tax dollars from fraud, waste and abuse,” said Taylor. “All allegations of criminal activity are taken seriously and can lead to a successful conviction of the perpetrator. I am very proud of the work that the SIU does and will continue to make their work a priority of my administration.”

This year, eight people have been criminally charged and six have been convicted of fraud related crimes as a direct result of investigations performed by the unit. Additionally, the office has released 13 special audits, or audits with a specific, narrow focus, that have identified $386,619 in findings for recovery or misspent tax dollars.

As a follow up to the cases released earlier this week, the below cases are examples of criminal activity identified by the Auditor of State SIU in recent years.

City of Fairfield
Butler County
Audit released 6/27/2006
SUCCESS: This case identified $335,514 in misspent tax dollars.

During the city’s regular financial audit, auditors found that bank accounts did not match the amount of money received by the city utility department. A special audit was then conducted to review the city utility department revenues. It was revealed that Mary Lawson, utility department supervisor and 16 year employee, was responsible for misspending $335,514 in public funds. She provided a written statement to the city of Fairfield police department admitting the crime.

Lawson pled guilty to one count theft in office and one count tampering with records. She was sentenced to six years in prison, of which five years were suspended. Lawson made full restitution at the time of sentencing.

Cleveland Academy of Math Science and Technology
Cuyahoga County
Audit released 9/18/2006
SUCCESS: This case identified $3,646,821 in misspent taxpayer dollars.

Former State Representative Jim Trakas and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) requested that the Auditor of State examine the Cleveland Academy of Math Science and Technology (CAMST) due to inaccurate enrollment reporting.

In order to begin an audit, the Auditor of State’s office used records from the school’s bank to recreate a financial history. The recreated documents allowed auditors to conduct a financial audit which showed that the school submitted fraudulent monthly reports to ODE. The reports stated that the school had as many as 681 enrolled students, while the actual number of students attending CAMST was approximately 100. The audit revealed that school executives received funds from CAMST without supporting documentation. The inflated enrollment and undocumented spending resulted in $3,646,821 in misspending.

Federal questioned costs in the amount of $336,775 were also issued for federal funding that could not be supported by documentation. The federal funding was related to the Public Charter School Subsidy Program, the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program.

Former school employees, Shirley Haynes and Mark Olds were indicted for criminal activities related to CAMST. Haynes was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years probation after release. Olds was sentenced to 92 months in prison plus 3 years probation after release. Both Haynes and Olds are required to pay restitution.

Northern Ohio Rural Water
Huron County
Audit released 9/21/2006
SUCCESS: This case identified $102,437 in misspent taxpayer dollars

The Auditor of State’s office received allegations that work was performed at the home of Anthony Quebodeaux’s, Northern Ohio Rural Water (NORW) General Manager, with NORW employees, equipment and material paid for by the organization. Sources also alleged that he kept NORW tools and equipment at his residence for personal use, received gifts from vendors, used NORW credit cards for personal use and did not properly record and deposit water fees.

The audit report verified the allegations against Quebodeaux and also confirmed that he had used NORW funds to build a deck on his personal residence.

The audit report showed that Quebodeaux and James Ruggles, a fiscal officer of NORW, were responsible for misspending public dollars. Ruggles served as a fiscal officer of NORW and was responsible for the maintenance of petty cash funds and records. At Quebodeaux’s request, Ruggles submitted false reports to the NORW board and was eventually convicted for this crime.

Quebodeaux was sentenced to eight years in prison and ordered to pay $88,614 in restitution. Fiscal officer James Ruggles was sentenced to two years of probation, 200 hours of community service and received a $5,000 fine.

The Auditor of State SIU receives an average of 550 allegations of fraud or misspending of public dollars each year. To report suspicious behavior contact the SIU office toll free at 1-866-FRAUD-OH (1-866-372-8364), by e-mail at www.auditor.state.oh.us or by mail.

Ohio Auditor of State’s Office
Special Investigations Unit
88 East Broad Street
P.O. Box 1140
Columbus, Ohio 43215

The Ohio Auditor of State’s Office is one of the largest accounting offices in the nation. The office serves more than 5,500 clients and issues approximately 3,400 audit reports each year.

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Taylor Kicks Off Fraud Awareness Campaign

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor announces a week-long fraud awareness campaign dedicated to informing Ohioans about the resources her office offers citizens to report allegations of fraud and misuse of public funds.

An integral part of Taylor’s public education initiative and agenda to protect Ohio taxpayers from fraud and abuse of state government funds is a legislative measure passed in the both the House and Senate that now awaits the Governor’s signature to become law.

House Bill 166, drafted by Taylor, is a comprehensive plan to establish independent oversight, accountability and transparency in the way state government operates and spends tax dollars. This bill will establish an independent state audit committee consisting of independent – qualified professionals; will require a systematic review of agency internal controls and improve the integrity of the state’s financial reporting.

This structural reform will require allegations of fraud or misspending to be reported and not hidden. Ultimately, House Bill 166 will help prevent the potential for fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars in state government.

“My office is fully equipped with a team of investigators, our Special Investigations Unit, who are professionally trained to investigate allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in government spending helping make your tax dollars count,” Taylor said. “As the state’s chief watchdog of tax dollars, I want the citizens of Ohio to know that they, too, can be a watchdog and report fraud.”

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). Tips may also be submitted via the internet at www.FraudOhio.com.

The fraud hotline was established within the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in 2003. Since that time, nearly 1,800 calls have been received. Some of those calls have resulted in criminal charges against individuals suspected of fraudulent activity.

Under the Taylor administration, the SIU has assisted in the prosecution of eight people charged with committing fraud. SIU is currently working another 14 active investigations throughout the state and are participating in 12 pending court cases.

Taylor is kicking off a week-long effort dedicated to providing Ohioans with more information to identify and report fraud in the public arena. The effort coincides with International Fraud Awareness Week (November 11th – 17th) sponsored by the Association of Fraud Examiners.

Auditor Taylor Hosts Toledo Community School Training

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Toledo -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor sponsored the last of four community school financial training workshops today in Toledo at the University of Toledo. Attendees included community school superintendents, treasurers, principals and finance managers.

“The workshop today in Toledo was an opportunity for community school leaders to learn more about the accounting skills needed to help improve community school financial accountability and oversight,” said Taylor. “It is my hope that these workshops will allow more community schools to become financially stabile and contribute to their long-term success.”

The workshops offered training on the retention of financial statements, state regulations for financial reporting and other fiscal obligations including:

• How to Prepare for an Audit
• Compliance with State Laws and Regulations
• Grant Restrictions/Funding
• Budgeting and Financial Forecasting

Recently, Taylor worked with House Speaker Jon Husted to seek passage of a plan to improve accountability for Ohio’s community school system. The plan requires the State Auditor to notify the school’s sponsor and the Department of Education when a charter or community school fails to submit financial documents which show how tax dollars were spent. If financial statements and records are not brought into an auditable condition, state funding for the school will stop. The plan was adopted as part of the state’s $52 billion two-year budget.

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).

The Auditor’s Office Web site can be found at www.auditor.state.oh.us.

Taylor Hosts Akron Area Community School Training

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Auditor of State Mary Taylor sponsored the third in a series of four financial training workshops today aimed at strengthening fiscal accountability and oversight in the state’s community schools.

“Ohio law governs the financial operations of the state’s community school system. Since taking office, I’ve seen instances where proper financial records haven’t been kept preventing our office from performing an audit,” Taylor said. “The goal of these workshops is to help improve financial accountability within the community school system and provide guidance on how to properly safeguard public funds.”

Those attending today’s training session include superintendents, treasurers, principals, and finance managers of community schools throughout the Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown metropolitan areas. The workshops specifically offer training on the retention of financial statements, state regulations for financial reporting, and other fiscal obligations, including:

How to Prepare for an Audit
Compliance with State Laws and Regulations
Grant Restrictions/Funding
Budgeting and Financial Forecasting

Recently, Taylor worked with House Speaker Jon Husted to improve accountability for Ohio’s community school system. The plan requires the State Auditor to notify the school’s sponsor and the Department of Education when a charter or community school fails to submit documents showing how tax dollars were spent. If financial statements and records are not brought into an auditable condition, state payments to the school will stop. The plan was adopted as part of the state’s $52 billion budget.

A copy of the full audit is available online at www.auditor.state.oh.us.

Auditor Taylor Hosts Central Ohio Community School Training

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor sponsored the second of four community school financial training sessions today in Columbus at the Longaberger Alumni House. Attendees included community school superintendents, treasurers, principals, and finance managers.

“By educating central Ohio community school leaders about proper financial record keeping and basic accounting principles, we can help ensure the success of charter schools,” said Taylor. “I am committed to holding charter schools accountable for the tax dollars they spend while also working hard to make sure that they continue to be a viable educational option for our children”

The workshops offered training on the retention of financial statements, state regulations for financial reporting and other fiscal obligations including:

• How to Prepare for an Audit
• Compliance with State Laws and Regulations
• Grant Restrictions/Funding
• Budgeting and Financial Forecasting

Recently, Taylor worked with House Speaker Jon Husted to seek passage of a plan to increase oversight and accountability within the state’s community school system. The plan requires the State Auditor to notify the school’s sponsor and the Department of Education when a charter or community school fails to submit financial documents which show how tax dollars were spent. If financial statements and records are not brought into an auditable condition, state funding for the school will stop. The plan was adopted as part of the state’s $52 billion two-year budget.

Contact: Emily Frazee, Public Affairs, at 614-644-1111.

Taylor Hosts Community School Training for Dayton and Cincinnati

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Dayton -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor kicked off the first in a series of four financial training sessions today aimed at strengthening fiscal operations and oversight of the state’s community schools.

“We are excited about this opportunity to help improve accountability in our state’s community schools,” Taylor said. “Since taking office, I have seen instances of financial reporting irregularities, bad bookkeeping and misrepresentation of financial information, lax or nonexistent internal controls, and outright fraud at some community schools. The majority of charter school operators are properly managing their financial operations, but those that don’t, threaten the success of the others.”

Those attending today’s training session include superintendents, treasurers, principals, and finance managers of community schools throughout the Dayton and Cincinnati metropolitan areas. The workshops specifically offer training on the retention of financial statements, state regulations for financial reporting, and other fiscal obligations, including:

• How to Prepare for an Audit
• Compliance with State Laws and Regulations
• Grant Restrictions/Funding
• Budgeting and Financial Forecasting

"The tools provided in these workshops will help to improve financial accountability in Ohio’s charter schools," Taylor said. "We strive to make sure every Ohioan knows that their tax dollars are being spent appropriately and legally. We are pleased to provide this opportunity to our community schools to help them continue to provide financially strong academic options for students and parents across the state."

Recently, Taylor worked with House Speaker Jon Husted to seek passage of a plan to increase oversight and accountability within the state’s community school system. The plan requires the State Auditor to notify the school’s sponsor and the Department of Education when a charter or community school fails to submit documents showing how tax dollars were spent. If financial statements and records are not brought into an auditable condition, state payments to the school will stop. The plan was adopted as part of the state’s two-year $52 billion budget.

Auditor Taylor Hosts Annual Fraud Awareness Conference

Mon, 21 May 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor will sponsor the Seventh Annual Emerging Trends in Fraud Investigation and Prevention at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on May 21-22.

“We’ve gathered well respected crime experts to educate attendees about the most recent trends in workplace fraud,” Taylor said. “Criminals devise new ways to manipulate the system everyday. As community leaders, it is our responsibility to stay ahead of the trend and keep our assets safe from crime.”

Both public and private sector businesses are invited to attend the conference. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the typical organization loses five percent of annual revenues to occupation fraud, or crime involving individuals misusing money. Nationwide, businesses lose approximately $652 billion annually to fraudulent activity.

The workshop will offer attendees information that they can apply to their day to day operations. Some of the class topics include:

• Money laundering
• Financial statement red flags
• Whistleblowers
• Terrorism financing

Sponsors of the conference include: Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, Central Ohio Chapter of Certified Fraud Examiners, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, Franklin University, The Ohio Society of CPAs, Ohio Investigators Association, and National White Collar Crime Center.

Additional information is available online at www.auditor.state.oh.us.

Taylor to Offer Financial Training for Charter School Officials

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor announced the creation of a new statewide training program designed to strengthen financial operations and fiscal oversight of the state’s community schools.

“Since taking office, my administration has released 78 audits on charter schools. While the majority of charter school operators are properly managing the financial operations of the school, those that don’t threaten the success of all others,” Taylor said. “As state auditor, I have seen financial reporting irregularities, bad bookkeeping, misrepresentation of financial statements, and outright fraud at some community schools operating in this state.”

The Auditor of State Community School Training Program will include a series of regional workshops held around the state this summer. The voluntary workshops will offer financial, accounting and compliance training to school sponsors, administrators, fiscal officers, board members and management companies.

The workshops will specifically offer training to fiscal officers regarding the retention of financial statements, state regulations for financial reporting, and other fiscal obligations that must be met. The workshops will also cover the following topics:

• How to Prepare for an Audit
• Compliance with State Laws and Regulations
• Grant Restrictions/Funding
• Budgeting and Financial Forecasting
• Ohio Education Management Information System Reporting

The training program is the first proposed reform developed by the Auditor’s Office under Taylor’s leadership to help ensure fiscal accountability in Ohio’s community schools. She expects to unveil additional reforms as part of a series of initiatives in the coming months.

“As state auditor, I’m compelled to offer community school officials the tools they need to appropriately account for every tax dollar they receive,” Taylor said.

Some of the most egregious examples of financial mismanagement found under the Taylor administration include an audit of The International Preparatory School in Cleveland resulting in the findings of nearly $1.4 million in alleged misspending and $1.5 million in mismanaged federal grant funds. Taylor also has launched investigations or special audits into the Performing Arts School of Metropolitan Toledo, Harmony Community School in Cincinnati and W.E.B. DuBois Academy in Cincinnati to determine if any public funds were misspent. In addition, other schools across the state have failed to provide the adequate and necessary financial information to conduct required audits.

For more information about the Auditor’s Office, please visit www.auditor.state.oh.us.

Auditor Taylor Hosts Local Government Officials’ Gathering

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus -

Auditor of State Mary Taylor will be hosting the Eighth Annual Local Government Officials’ Conference April 3 – 4 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus. More than 600 officials have registered.

“One of my goals is to help local government officials account for their use of public funds,” said Taylor. “I am thrilled to offer this educational opportunity to Ohio’s township and village officials. They will be able to apply the information they learn at the conference in their public service back home.”

The conference reinforces the core fiscal standards needed to run an efficient local system. Themes of the event include:

• Government Accounting
• Budgeting and Financing
• Legal Compliance
• Ethics
• Ohio Sunshine Laws

The conference focuses on issues related to smaller local governments satisfies continuing education requirements outlined in the Ohio Revised Code for village clerks, clerk-treasurers, and fiscal officers. Please note that everyone attending the conference must pre-register.

Additional information is available online at www.auditor.state.oh.us.