header

Problems Persist with Finances in Cheshire Township

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Columbus – A finding for recovery and a laundry list of citations have pointed to Cheshire Township (Gallia County) fiscal officer Virginia Letson for the second time, according to a 2011-2012 financial audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me,” Auditor Yost said. “That’s what Cheshire officials ought to be saying after getting these audit results for a second time.” 

The audit found that in 2011, Letson issued two checks to herself, totaling $1,650, as reimbursements of her former husband’s payroll deductions for health coverage. However, the payments were made without supporting documentation. A finding for recovery was issued against Letson in the amount of $1,650.  

During the prior 2009-2010 Cheshire Township financial audit, a finding for recovery was issued against Letson in the amount of $16,483 for the same thing. Letson’s former husband’s insurance provider confirmed that only one payment for $836.63 was made during the period of January 1, 2009 – January 31, 2011. The 2009-2010 finding was repaid by Letson’s bonding company on December 20, 2012. 

Additionally, auditors identified multiple citations that stemmed from mistakes made by Letson, including: 

  • Failure to remit federal payroll taxes within the legal timeframe
  • Numerous miss-postings of receipts and disbursements, which led to expenditures in excess of the appropriations to the General Fund in 2011
  • Appropriations to the Road and Bridge Fund exceeded both estimated and actual resources in 2012.
The audit also cited that Letson used improper adjustments to balance each month – involving $15,574 and $18,197 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. These improper adjustments included:
  • CHecks written and cleared by the bank, but not recorded in the Township's accounting system
  • Receipts posted twice in the accounting system
  • A prior audit adjustment that was not made correctly

A full copy of this audit may be accessed online

 

###

The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,800 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111