Columbus – Adams Township in Washington County lacked records to support more than $2,000 in credit card purchases from 2016 and 2017, state auditors found.

An audit of the township released today reports an absence of receipts and invoices for 95 credit card transactions totaling $2,315. Without the necessary records, auditors could not determine whether the purchases were proper. 

Township officials told auditors the credit card in question was used primarily by employees Roger Augenstein and Robert Dutton. As fiscal officer, Carrie Tullius paid the township’s credit card bills. 

Auditors issued a finding for recovery against all three individuals, ordering them to repay $2,315 to the township. Tullius repaid the full amount on Nov. 7 of this year. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost released a special report in 2017 on credit card misuse in governments. The report detailed $1.2 million in thefts and misspending via government credit cards since 2011 and provided a Best Practices newsletter to help local officials safeguard their resources. 

Among other things, the Auditor recommends restricting the number of people with access to credit cards, requiring detailed receipts for credit-card transactions, setting spending limits, and a list of proper and improper credit card uses.

House Bill 312, introduced in July 2017 by State Rep. Kirk Schuring (Canton) and Rep. Dave Greenspan (Westlake) with the support of Auditor Yost, established tighter controls over credit cards. It was signed into law in August by Gov. John Kasich.

A full copy of the township’s audit report is available online. 

###

The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 6,000 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:
Beth Gianforcaro
Press Secretary
614-644-1111