Columbus – A former principal’s undocumented fuel purchases led to a $1,000 finding for recovery in an audit of the Academy for Educational Excellence (Lucas County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“This former principal left the taxpayers on “E”,” Auditor Yost said. “A $1,000 check to the penny doesn’t pass the smell test - especially when there’s no documentation to back it up.”

The academy reimbursed former Principal Lincoln Kynard a total of $1,000 on October 21, 2013 for fuel purchases he made. A check to Kynard in the amount of $1,000 was signed by former Treasurer Cherie Cox and cashed out of the petty cash account by Superintendent and Founder Ann Harris. 

However, Kynard was unable to provide any invoices or receipts to substantiate the $1,000 in fuel purchases. As a result, auditors could not determine if the fuel was purchased for a proper public purpose. A finding for recovery in the amount of $1,000 was issued jointly and severally against Kynard, Harris and Cox. 

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.