Columbus – Missing magistrate court funds and a series of payroll errors resulted in $6,020 in findings for recovery in an audit of the Village of Wintersville (Jefferson County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“Details matter – and in this case, the lack of attention to them cost the taxpayers thousands,” Auditor Yost said. “Village officials need to follow their own rules and make sure the deposits match the receipts.”

The magistrate court clerk is responsible for collecting, recording and depositing magistrate court receipts. For the period January 1, 2013 – March 31, 2015, $3,120 in cash receipts were posted to the magistrate court’s monthly cashbook, but the money was never deposited into the village depository. A finding for recovery in the amount of $3,120 was issued against Magistrate Court Clerk Angela Householder. 

A village ordinance sets the village administrator’s travel allowance at $200 per month, or $2,400 per year. However, Village Administrator Walt Ziemba was paid a travel allowance of $200 each two-week pay period, resulting in overpayments totaling $2,400. A finding for recovery was issued against Ziemba in the amount of $2,400. The village is withholding Ziemba’s travel allowance for 2015, and a full repayment is expected to be completed in January 2016.

In addition, auditors discovered that Councilman Thomas Bottorf was paid a total of $6,500 in 2014 rather than the $6,000 authorized for council members annually. A finding for recovery in the amount of $500 was issued against Bottorf. The village withheld $500 from Bottorf’s February 2015 pay to repay the full amount.    

A full copy of this report may be accessed 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 5,800 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.