Columbus – An audit released today by Auditor of State Keith Faber orders former fiscal officer Pamela Otworth to repay Green Township (Scioto County) $2,229 for a late fee incurred on the township’s commercial loan agreement.

“Fines are an easily avoidable expense that taxpayers should never be on the hook for,” Auditor Faber said. “When a public official is late on a payment, my office will work to make sure that the public official, not the taxpayer, picks up the late fees.”

The township was in a loan agreement with US Bank, who invoiced the township with a principle and interest payment due on Jan. 7, 2015. Otworth did not make the payment until Jan. 20, 2015 and as a result US Bank assessed a past due late charge for $2,229. The Auditor has issued a finding for recovery for the late fee against Otworth and her bonding company, Ohio Casualty Insurance Company.

Additionally, the report found several instances of noncompliance and material weakness within the township’s financial statements. The township was late in passing appropriations, misstated financial statements, and their expenditures exceeded appropriations.

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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Allie Dumski

Press Secretary

(614) -644-1111