FRANKFORT, KY (May 1, 2026) – State Auditor Allison Ball has released her limited‑scope special examination of the Unified Prosecutorial System (UPS), originally initiated by the General Assembly in its 2024 budget bill (House Bill 6). This review closely evaluated the fiscal and operational practices carried out by the Prosecutors Advisory Council (PAC) on behalf of UPS. More specifically, the examination focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen internal controls, enhance transparency, and ensure that operational activities align with statutory requirements.
"One of the primary responsibilities of government is to secure the individual rights of life, liberty, and property," Auditor Ball said. "The Unified Prosecutorial System, together with the Commonwealth's and county attorneys, their assistants, and their staff, stand on the front lines every day protecting those rights. I hope our findings and observations help the UPS become even more effective in fulfilling that mission."
The examination included five findings and two observations. Notably, the Auditor found that PAC inconsistently followed the criteria for approving asset forfeiture fund expenditures. This included approving purchases without a law-enforcement purpose.
Having received full cooperation from UPS, this examination represents the improvements that can be made within state government when state entities collaborate with the Auditor's Office. In its response to the Auditor's examination, Bobby Stokes, Executive Director of PAC, said that they “take each finding and recommendation seriously and have already begun a plan to implement appropriate processes to improve our policies," and that they are “committed to administering the Unified Prosecutorial System budget and serving the employees of the 177 Commonwealth's and County Attorney offices in the Commonwealth with competence and integrity."
View the full report here.
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