Columbus – Auditor of State Keith Faber today released the 2018-2019 audit of Newton Local School District (Miami County), which issues a $2,070 finding for recovery against Superintendent Pat McBride for misusing a district credit card.

“In order to maintain the public’s trust in government it is vital that any expense of public dollars be for a designated public purpose,” Auditor Faber said. “Moving forward, I recommend the district establish and implement controls to verify that all credit card purchases serve the taxpayer.”

The audit uncovered in fiscal years 2018 and 2019, McBride put a total of $1,625 on the district’s credit card to purchase restaurant gift cards as Christmas gifts for employees and board members. The district paid these charges in January 2018 and January 2019. The district did not have a gift policy and the Board did not approve these purchases.

Additionally, McBride used the credit card for a $445 personal purchase in fiscal year 2019. The purchase was not identified by the district as being for a personal purpose.

In response to these findings, Auditor Faber issued a finding for recovery for $2,070 against McBride, in favor of the district’s general fund.

McBride repaid the district $445 on January 10, 2020 and $1,625 on January 22, 2020. The Auditor’s office considers the findings fully repaid.

A full copy of this audit 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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