Columbus – The Village of Orwell paid the IRS $11,567 in penalties and interest during 2017 for 3 1/2 years of back taxes, according to a financial audit released today.

The audit orders Fiscal Officer Ella Stanton to repay the Ashtabula County village because payments for penalties and interest do not serve a proper public purpose.

“Late fees are the product of a failure by fiscal personnel,” Auditor Yost said. “It’s their responsibility – not the taxpayer’s – to bear the financial consequences.”

On Aug. 9, 2017, the village paid the overdue taxes, penalties and interest that had accumulated since the fourth quarter of 2013. 

Auditors issued a $11,567 finding for recovery against Stanton for the penalties and interest. 

A full copy of this report is available online.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 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.

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