Columbus – Auditor of State Keith Faber today released the 2015-2016 audit of the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habituation Center (Allen County). The audit uncovered that the center misspent $5,201 on credit card purchases lacking supporting documentation, checks paid without documentation, and late payments on credit card purchases

“Improper credit card use and incurring late fees represents a breach of public trust,” Auditor Faber said. “My office has issued a finding for recovery to correct this inappropriate use of funds.”

In fiscal year 2016, the center did not maintain supporting documentation for nineteen credit card transactions totaling $1,336. In that same fiscal year, the center paid a check to a retail store for $1,262 that lacked documentation. As a result of these findings, Auditor Faber has issued a finding for recovery against Peg Elmquist, the former Director of Finance and Human Resources for $2,598 in favor of the center.

Additionally, auditors found that from May 2014 through June 2016, the center incurred $2,603 of interest charges and late fees on credit card transactions. Auditor Faber has issued a second finding for recovery to ensure Elmquist also repays these funds in full.  

In their response to the Auditor’s office, the center acknowledges that the credit cards were used improperly and are working on collecting the money owed by Elmquist.

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

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