Columbus – Auditor of State Keith Faber today released the 2017-2018 audit of York Township (Belmont County), which found the former fiscal officer, Dawn Lee, incurred $10,737 of penalties and interest charges from the federal government.

“Taxpayers expect government to be responsible with their money,” Auditor Faber said. “In 2019, my office found that local governments paid over $250,000 in penalties and late fees. This is an area we need to improve in statewide.”

As fiscal officer, Lee was responsible for withholding and remitting the required income taxes from township employee earnings. Lee withheld federal income tax and Medicare from the earnings of each township employee. However, Lee failed to transmit all the required funds to the appropriate agencies. Additionally, Lee failed to file the required 941 forms for all four quarters of 2015, the first quarter of 2016 and W-2 forms for 2015 during her term.

Because of this neglect of duty, the township paid penalties and interest charges to the federal government totaling $10,737. These payments served no proper public purpose and could have been avoided had the funds been remitted properly.

Auditor Faber issued a finding for recovery against Lee, in favor of the township for the full amount paid toward the penalties and interest.

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