Columbus – Auditor of State Keith Faber today released the audit of the Village of South Bloomfield (Pickaway County) for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, which finds that the former fiscal officer, Iris Darst, improperly spent $1,305 of village funds.

“Ohioans expect their local government to take care of their tax dollars,” Auditor Faber said. “Every village must have checks and balances surrounding employees authorized to make cash withdrawals and should not be writing checks to ‘cash’ as a general matter.”

From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, Darst wrote 11 checks made out to cash for various purposes, totaling $2,107. Only $802 of the total had supporting documentation. Under Ohio law, any public official who authorizes an illegal expenditure is liable for the funds.

Auditor Faber has issued a $1,305 finding for recovery against Darst and her bonding company, The Cincinnati Insurance Company, and in favor of the village.

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