April 20, 2024

Audit Leads to Findings for Meigs County Officials

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Several findings have been found in the most recent auditor for Meigs County.

According to a statement from the state, the 2020 Meigs County financial audit released by Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office included numerous findings for “Material Weakness and Noncompliance.” Additionally, the report issued two findings for recovery and a finding for adjustment.

One of the findings was with current Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood and the other finding was with former Recorder Kay Hill.

According to the statement, ”In 2018, Sheriff Wood made multiple checks out to ‘Cash’ totaling $8,620 from the Meigs County Major Crimes Task Force (MCTF) bank account. In 2019, Sheriff Keith Wood made one check out to ‘Cash’ for $650 from the MCTF bank account. No supporting documentation was maintained by the Sheriff for these transactions. The source of monies included in the MCTF were Law Enforcement Trust Fund receipts. In addition, Sheriff Keith Wood used a debit card from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund bank account to make $555 and $830 in purchases in 2020 and 2019, respectively, without maintaining documentation to support the items were for proper public purpose.”

A Finding for Recovery was issued against Sheriff Keith Wood in favor of Meigs County’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund in the amount of $10,655.

It additionally stated, ”Sheriff Keith Wood entered into a repayment agreement with the County on January 6, 2022 to make monthly installments of no less than $200 per month. In addition, the Sheriff transferred the balance in the MCTF account to the Law Enforcement Trust Fund and closed the MCTF bank account in March 2020.”

A finding for Recovery was issued against former Meigs County Recorder Kay Hill for an overpayment of her severance, however, Hill repaid the amount due to the County’s General Fund.

Finally, the County declined to make adjustments to their funds that were identified in previous audits. A balance of $7,074 remains to be adjusted from the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund to the County’s General Fund.

As a result, a Finding for Adjustment was issued against the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund and in favor of the County’s General Fund in the amount of $7,074.