Columbus – An audit report released today by Auditor of State Keith Faber on Harrison Township in Perry County includes findings for recovery and exposes a myriad of other problems relating to the township’s finances.

The report issues a finding for recovery for $6,706 because township officials overpaid the Treasurer of State’s office when paying the township employee’s state taxes.

The second finding for recovery is for $4,816 worth of improper debit card purchases. During 2016 and 2017, the township used a debit card for purchases totaling $5,507 but only provided supporting documentation for $691 of that amount.

“Governments should never leave taxpayers questioning how their hard-earned tax dollars are spent,” said Auditor Faber. “Thorough documentation is critical to transparent government and provides citizens with confidence in their elected leaders.”

Both of the findings for recovery are against fiscal officer Khristine Hanson and in favor of the township. Additionally, township trustees Alan White, Jerald Watts, and Timothy Danielson approved $3,529 of the illegal debit card purchases, which makes them secondarily liable for those funds.

On Mar. 19, 2019, Hanson and the township entered into a settlement agreement to repay the findings.

The audit report also details several instances of material weakness and noncompliance. These instances included, expenditures exceeding appropriations, lack of reconciliations, and lack of internal controls

A full copy of this report is available 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 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. 

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