Columbus – The Preble County District Library’s former fiscal officer failed to pay withheld income taxes and pension contributions, resulting in $36,407 in fees and penalties, according to an audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

From January 2013 through December 2014, former fiscal officer Terri Wysong withheld the required federal income tax, Medicare, state income tax, local income tax, school district income tax and Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) contributions from the earnings of each library employee. However, Wysong failed to submit the funds to the appropriate entity, agency or system – a “gross neglect of duty amounting to reckless disregard for the Library,” according to the report.

As a result, the library was charged the following amounts in penalties, late fees and interest during the audit period:

• Federal Government: $22,780
• State of Ohio: $2,324
• OPERS: $6,677
• Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA): $4,626

“No one should be at the helm of a government’s finances without proper training,” Auditor Yost said. “Taxpayers were unfairly put on the hook for more than $30,000 because this fiscal officer didn’t have the know-how to carry out her duties responsibly.”

A $36,407 finding for recovery was issued against Wysong. 

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 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.

Contact:
Ben Marrison
Director of Communications
614-644-1111