One finding to be referred to Kentucky State Police, Executive Branch Ethics Commission
for further investigation
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Mike Harmon, Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts, on Wednesday June 8, 2016 released the Fiscal Year 2015 audit of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (Department), and announced one finding that will be referred to the Kentucky State Police and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission for further review and consideration.
The finding in question relates to the Department’s failure to maintain proper controls over receipts from the sale of permits for recreational, commercial, scientific, and educational activities relating to fish and wildlife. An internal investigation by Department management found suspected misappropriation of permit fees in the agency’s central office in Frankfort. The Department properly notified the auditor’s office, law enforcement officials, and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission of the suspected misappropriation.
The subsequent review and testing of the Department’s receipts and receipts database found there were instances where fees paid for permits could not be traced within the system, not allowing for confirmation the money had been deposited. The Department’s internal investigation identified potentially more than $90,000 in suspected misappropriations since 2007.
“While we appreciate the cooperation and diligence shown by the department in identifying and bringing this issue to light, it is our belief that further investigation by law enforcement and the Executive Branch Ethics Commission is warranted,” said Auditor Harmon in releasing the report. “We have also evaluated the processes in place and recommended steps to make sure all fees generated from permit sales are properly deposited, and to prevent and detect any future misappropriation of funds by reconciling all receipts between the databases used by KDFWR.”
The full Fiscal Year 2015 audit of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is available for review via our website at auditor.ky.gov.
