McALESTER, OK - The Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector's Office (OSAI) performed a special audit to "review officials' salary increase for travel allowance and determine if it was proper." It covers a period from June 2006 through September 2008 and includes every county office in Pittsburg County.
In June 2006 the Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution to combine elected officials' travel with their salaries. It was enacted, but rescinded in September 2008 by the board. According to the audit, problems included some officials receiving more than was allowed as travel pay and some officials driving county vehicles while receiving travel pay, considered a double recovery of travel expenses.
The report states that OSAI requested all of the county officers provide a statement to confirm whether or not they drove a county-owned vehicle during that time period. Some affidavits were not signed, and using a previous questionnaire and an auditor observation, the report concluded that four officials did drive county-owned vehicles while receiving a travel allowance.
The section concludes with OSAI recommending the District Attorney to review this finding to determine what action, if any, may be required.
Read the full report here.
