Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

August 4, 2009

Detailed audit accepted by Board

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Board accepted a detailed audit of funds and decided not to go further than September 2004 in its quest to determine if additional funds are missing from the county.

According to Jefferson County Board Chairman Ted Buck, the decision to stop at that time is based on the county auditor.

“We wanted to go back to a time when we had a previous auditor,” Buck explained.

The auditor who has been serving the county since 2004 is Harold Emling of Emling & Hoffman, P.C.

The detailed audit, performed by Gray, Hunter & Stenn of Marion, found more than $100,000 in county funds are missing between 2004 and 2008, and former deputy treasurer Brenda Pickett, of the 600 block of Oak Avenue, was arrested on Aug. 1, 2008, and charged with theft and official misconduct. At the time of her arrest, it was alleged that she had taken between $10,000 and $100,000 in county funds between May and August 2008.

“After finding the alleged theft, [Jefferson County Treasurer Debbie Marlow] continued to investigate and found additional money missing,” Jefferson County Board member Robert White said. “That’s when we decided to do the audit.”

Although the detailed audit was accepted, two members of the board voted against the measure — White and Jim Nelson.

“There are two issues about why I voted against it,” White explained. “The board never formally gave permission to hire an auditor. [Buck] had implicit permission, but I wanted that corrected. When it was done, there was a motion to allow an audit going back further than three years, but only if the Treasurer’s Bond paid off so we would have the money to pay for the audit. The bond didn’t pay, it only covers the treasurer, not the employees. But Ted went ahead and hired the auditor.”

Nelson said at this time the board hasn’t been told how much the audit has cost the county.

“[Buck] has hinted at $10,000, but we’ve never seen a complete bill,” Nelson said.

Buck said the detailed audit has been turned over to special prosecutor Mary Bucaro of the Attorney General’s office, who will consider if additional charges will be filed against Pickett. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 25.

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