|
|
Auditor Mike Harmon Releases Results of Special Examination of Fire Department in LaRue County
Findings on Buffalo Fire Department being referred to Office of Attorney General, Kentucky State Police
Mike Harmon, Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts, today released a letter detailing findings from a special examination of the Buffalo Fire Department in LaRue County. Auditor Harmon’s office received a request from the current chief to investigate alleged misuse of public funds and mismanagement by the department’s former chief.
“Our auditors discovered more than $17,000 of questionable expenditures had been made from fire department funds that was not authorized, were unnecessary to support the department and the people they serve, had no documentation, or all three,” said Auditor Harmon. “Since our auditors uncovered the potential misuse of public funds, we are referring our findings to the Kentucky State Police and Office of Attorney General to further investigate whether any criminal charges should be filed.”
|
|
|
Bill Clarifying Role of Auditor of Public Accounts in Special Audits of Cities Signed Into Law
Kentucky Auditor Mike Harmon joined Gov. Matt Bevin as he signed Senate Bill 168 into law, which clarifies the role of the Auditor’s office in conducting special audits or examinations of cities in Kentucky. Also attending the ceremonial bill signing was J.D. Chaney, Deputy Executive Director, Kentucky League of Cities; Bryanna Carroll, Governmental Affairs Manager, Kentucky League of Cities; Sen. Steve West, R-Paris who sponsored SB 168; Sen. Chris Girdler, R-Somerset who was the primary co-sponsor of SB 168; Alice Wilson, Assistant State Auditor; and Sara Beth Gregory, General Counsel, Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts. SB 168 officially becomes law in Kentucky on July 15th.
|
|
|
Auditor Mike Harmon Releases Annual Audit of Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
One finding to be referred to Kentucky State Police, Executive Branch Ethics Commission for further investigation
Mike Harmon, Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts, today released the Fiscal Year 2015 audit of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (Department), and announced one finding that will be referred to the Kentucky State Police and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission for further review and consideration.
The finding in question relates to the Department’s failure to maintain proper controls over receipts from the sale of permits for recreational, commercial, scientific, and educational activities relating to fish and wildlife. An internal investigation by Department management found suspected misappropriation of permit fees in the agency’s central office in Frankfort. The Department properly notified the auditor’s office, law enforcement officials, and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission of the suspected misappropriation.
|
|
|
Auditor Mike Harmon Announces Special Examination of the Kentucky Horse Park
Exam will look at financial activities of park for Fiscal Years 2014, 2015, 2016
Mike Harmon, Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts, announced today his office will conduct a special examination into the operation and financial activities of the Kentucky Horse Park for Fiscal Years 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Auditor Harmon notified State Senator Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, William Landrum, III, Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, and Don Parkinson, Secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, by letter after receiving requests from them to conduct a special exam of the Kentucky Horse Park.
|
|
|
Auditor Harmon Releases Second Volume of Annual Single Statewide Audit of Commonwealth of Kentucky
Audit identified two material weaknesses, 16 significant deficiencies
Auditor Mike Harmon released the second volume of the annual Single Statewide Audit of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (SSWAK) for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2015. Volume two focuses on compliance with federal requirements for federal awards.
During Fiscal Year 2015, Kentucky spent more than $12.2 billion in cash and noncash awards received from the federal government, which represents an increase of $2.24 billion in federal funds compared to Fiscal Year 2014.
“Given the amount of federal dollars that flow through our state agencies to administer various programs and grants, it is essential the rules and regulations are followed,” said Auditor Harmon. “There were 18 findings in this year’s report, but it is our directive that state agencies must continue to strive toward full compliance on spending federal money.”
|
|
|
Statement from Auditor Harmon Regarding House Passage of Senate Bill 63
“We at the Auditor’s office are pleased that legislation to address the thousands of untested rape kits our auditors uncovered is one step closer to becoming law. I want to personally thank Sen. Denise Harper Angel for her work and leadership on addressing this issue, and Sen. Whitney Westerfield for working with Sen. Angel on a bipartisan solution.
When I was a member of the House of Representatives in 2015, I voted in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 20 that directed the Auditor of Public Accounts to conduct a study. I also made a pledge to my predecessor, former Auditor Adam Edelen that whoever was elected to this position last November would continue to push for legislative change, so the Kentuckians who have been impacted can perhaps gain justice as we push forward with getting these and other kits tested in a timely manner.”
|
|
|
Statement from Auditor Harmon Regarding House Passage of Senate Bill 168
“I want to thank my former colleagues in the House of Representatives for their passage of Senate Bill 168, and I look forward to Gov. Matt Bevin signing the bill into law.
SB 168 essentially allows our office to continue doing special audits or examinations of city governments when we determine a valid reason to do, but it clarifies our duties and codifies them in statute. I want to thank Senator Steve West for sponsoring SB 168, our General Counsel, Sara Beth Gregory, for her hard work in helping craft the bill, and J.D. Chaney along with everyone at the Kentucky League of Cities, who worked with us and supported this piece of good government legislation.”
|
|
|
Auditor Harmon Testifies on City Audits Bill in House Committee
Auditor Mike Harmon testifies in support of Senate Bill 168 as Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, the bill's sponsor looks on. SB 168, which provides clarification for the Auditor of Public Accounts on conducting special audits of cities, passed the House Committee on Local Government unanimously and moves on for consideration by the full House.
|