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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Ind. Gov't. - Still more on "Public records not released from Jeffersonville's Clerk-Treasurer's Office"

On August 10th, the David A. Mann of the Jeffersonville Evening News & Tribune had a story about a public records records complaint against the city’s Clerk-Treasurer’s Office, alleging denial of public records -- the records being statements for the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office’s credit card. (See ILB entries here.)

Yesterday evening, Mr. Mann had this lengthy story, which is much too complex to summarize. It is headed "Audit findings sent to Clark County prosecutor: State audit shows thousands spent by clerk-treasurer for personal matters."

A story today by Ben Zion Hershberg of the Louisville Courier Journal reports:

A state audit that questioned Jeffersonville Clerk-Treasurer Peggy Wilder's use of two city credit cards for personal expenses has been sent to the Clark County prosecutor's office.

The Indiana State Board of Accounts audit cited more than $85,000 in personal expenses and fees since 2000. Personal charges are not allowed on city credit cards.

Charles Pride, office manager for the Board of Accounts, said the agency sent the audit yesterday to the local prosecutor "to review for criminal prosecution."

Wilder, who did not return calls seeking comment yesterday, acknowledged Thursday that she had made "a serious error in judgment" in using the cards but that she didn't do anything illegal and that all the charges and fees had been repaid. * * *

The audit said Peggy Wilder also obtained a $2,687 salary advance in late 2006 even though officials in a position like hers aren't allowed to receive such advances under state law. The audit said she also didn't have a required surety bond or coverage from the city's crime-insurance policy from January 2004 until August 2007.

Wilder said Thursday that she hadn't been aware of the law saying she wasn't eligible for a salary advance. She said she used the advance to attend a National League of Cities convention. She also said she thought the surety bond had remained in effect from her first term.

Wilder is now in her third term as clerk-treasurer.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 17, 2009 08:47 AM
Posted to Indiana Government