News

Columbus – The Auditor of State’s office today released the fiscal year 2018 audit of Muskingum County. The audit issues a finding for recovery for $18,517 against former county engineer Doug Davis and his bonding company.

Investigators from the Auditor’s Special Investigations Unit examined the period between Jan. 1, 2012 and Apr. 30, 2018. They identified instances where Davis authorized the use of county personnel, equipment and materials for improvements on his personal property. Davis spent 229 employee hours, totaling $4,281 and 214 equipment hours, totaling $8,553 to make these personal improvements. Additionally, he purchased $1,173 of materials with public money used in the work completed.

Also during this period, Davis authorized and approved the purchase of $4,458 worth of items that did not appear to be for county purposes. Items included a new motor for a piece of rental equipment, a bumper for his personal vehicle, and fencing materials. Davis also charged $52 to his county credit card for a meal that was not county related.

As a result of these transactions, the Auditor’s office has issued a finding for recovery against Doug Davis and his bonding company, Western Surety Company, for $18,517. Davis passed away on April 18, 2018.

During the course of their work, investigators also found that Rick Alexander, a Muskingum County Engineer employee, used his county credit card to purchase $459 of fencing staples that were used to build a fence on Doug Davis’ property in October 2017. The Auditor’s office also issued a finding for recovery for $459 against Alexander. Davis was jointly and severally liable for directing and approving the purchase.

This investigation began after the Auditor’s office received a complaint in December 2017. The findings for recovery against Davis and Alexander are the result of the work of the Auditor’s Special Investigations Unit.

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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 6,000 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government. 

Contact:

Allie Dumski

Press Secretary

(614) -644-1111