Findings for Recovery

Used by local governments and state agencies to ensure, as required by law, that public contracts are not awarded to persons or businesses against which a finding for recovery has been issued and remains unresolved

General Search

Perform a general search of the database if you are not required by law to show certification.

Certified Search

Perform a certified search, as required by ORC § 9.24, to verify that the person to whom you plan to award a contract does not appear in the database.

Issuing a Finding

Pursuant to ORC § 117.28, when a finding for recovery is issued in an audit report, the legal counsel for the public office is authorized to collect the public money due within 120 days after receiving the audit report. In addition, the Auditor of State is required to notify the Attorney General of every finding for recovery. If, after 120 days, the legal counsel for the public office has not initiated legal action to recover the public money due, the Attorney General is authorized to bring such an action.

About the Database

On Jan. 1, 2004, a database of unresolved findings for recovery was made available to the public via the Auditor of State’s website. The database lists all persons against whom an unresolved finding for recovery has been issued and the amount of money identified in the finding for recovery, dating back to Jan. 1, 2001.

This database is used by local governments and state agencies to ensure, as required by law, that public contracts are not awarded to persons or businesses against which a finding for recovery has been issued and remains unresolved. Anyone who has unresolved findings for recovery is prohibited from receiving public contracts.

Note: Unless the name you search for actually appears on the list of possible matches, that person is not included in the Auditor of State’s database and is not prohibited by ORC § 9.24 from being awarded a contract.

Unresolved Findings

Anyone who has an unresolved finding for recovery is prohibited from receiving a contract for goods, services, or construction, paid for in whole or in part with state funds. A finding for recovery will not be removed from the Auditor of State’s database until written notification of the resolution is received from the Attorney General.

Those seeking to resolve a finding for recovery should contact the Attorney General’s Office:

Phone: 614-779-0105
Email: FindingsforRecovery@OhioAGO.gov

Additional information is available directly on the Attorney General's Contact Page.

Resolving a Finding

ORC § 9.24(B) provides ways that a finding for recovery may be resolved.