Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., met today with the independent accounting firm of Twilley, Rommel & Stephens, P.A., the Wicomico County Sheriff, members of the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation and key county officials to formalize the audit portion of an investigation into government corruption.
Pollitt instructed that the immediate focus of the audit be on the Public Works Department particularly its Roads and Landfill operations. TR&S said that the firm will be responding rapidly with a plan to conduct the audit and the cost of implementing that plan.
Mr. Pollitt emphasized that he wants the actual work of the audit “to begin as soon as possible.” He added, “Our audit process will work hand-in-glove with the criminal investigation to root out the rotten apples and develop safeguards to protect against future violations of the public trust.”
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Rick dont stop the audit there.Corrections and the Civic Center operations need the next look.
ReplyDeleteWonder why they didn't chose the City's auditor? Maybe they want timely, honest answers.
ReplyDeleteJoe you have influence with the Sheriff and the County Exec.,please encougage him to exclude the envolvement of the Finance Dept and any other suppordiante to the County Exec.Rick should appoint someone from the outside to manage the audit and insure Dept Heads comply and particapate as necessary. No Dept Head should be involved beyond supplying any and all requested information and/or documents.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere in all of this lies a hugh responsibility for not having detected such HUGE amount of theft.
Rie took the hit but in the end it will be proven he was a Scapegoat.
I believe what Mr.Pollit must do to retain the crediabilty of his office is to hire a accounting firm that is respected and court tested.
ReplyDeleteThis firm should be know for its skilled investigative auditing as well as litigation support services.
They of course report directly to Mr.Pollit.
It seems to me when an audit is called for, it should NOT be from local accountants. Surely, someone from Talbot County or futher away would have been more appropriate. Don't you think this was a bit "hasty"? Seems to me they should have declined!!!
ReplyDeleteI believe what Mr.Pollit must do to REGAIN the crediabilty of his office is to hire a accounting firm that is a respected Forensic Auditing agecy. This firm should be know for its skilled investigative auditing as well as litigation support services.
ReplyDeleteThey of course report directly to Mr.Pollit and be and intergal part of the criminal investigative effort.
I am confused, why is the roads division being audited, are they a part of this? If not, arent there many other departments in the county also that could be audited? I understand that is where the fuel pumps are located but isnt each department responsible to monitor their own fuel consumption.
ReplyDeleteisnt each department responsible to monitor their own fuel consumption 5:46pm
ReplyDeleteThey're way to busy over there for all that monitor'n mess, just pull over to the tanks n filler up, bring all the tanks you can carry and leave a tip with that fella lean'n against the wall on the way out...
all kiddin aside, look threw the posted topics in FEB. n bring youself up'ta date.
Wasn't Ed Rommel the local accountant that spoke up in the Daily Times about the sorry excuse for a Salisbury audit?
ReplyDeleteThat took balls! I'd hire him just for that!
My opinion is that an out of town accounting firm should be brought in....not a local Good Ole Boy Firm. And yes, the local accounting frm should have declined the task of reporting on what they will find (and what they will cover up) Already smell trouble!
ReplyDeleteAs many people that work there? They saw a truck with no government tags, no county symbol continuously at the pumps and never suspected a thing? I'm not buying it.
ReplyDeleteHow long you want to bet this has been going on?
Book 'um all DanO. Better get an attorney and some vaseline you bunch of mooches. Throw them down Mike!
Don't underestimate this accounting firm - they are excellent and highly professional. They have the expertise.
ReplyDeleteStill hasnt answered my question and believe me, I am as up to date as the rest, what does the roads division have to do with the whole theft consiracy. I havent heard one thing about a problem over there unless I missed something.
ReplyDeletewicomico solid waste gets there fuel from the roads divison. The landfill trucks it to the 500 gallon tank where the fuel was taken and trucks it right to equipment up on the hill. From what i have heard is that they are going to take out the 500 gallon tank and the only way to get fuel at the landfill now is from the fuel truck that loads up at county roads. simple way to control fuel is something like the toco card where each operator/driver has a card and each piece of equipment has a card and have to put in miles or hours. This way you can track what equipment uses what fuel and tell if there is a fuel usage issue with a piece of equipment.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to look at the Bd of Ed? Who wanted the ENP even though the teachers didn't? What person is getting the biggest bonus from it? That's not that different from Ron Alessi.
ReplyDeletedidnt a fireman get kicked out of Parsonsburg for stealing fuel some time back. I wonder if he works for the county landfill?
ReplyDeleteJoe
ReplyDeletePlease,please, incourage the County Executive and Sheriff to hold a news conference where they will lay out there plans to hold every one responsible for this gaggle accountable.
People must be charged criminally as well as held accountable for the lack of oversite that allowed all the "stealing" to go un-detected for so long.
People are full of rightious anger and only a well laided out plan that is well executed will quell the anger.
I just hope that no one jumps to conclusions about Wicomico County Department heads. Although corruption has been uncovered within the county, we cannot assume that everyone is involved. We have some good, honest, hard-working Department heads in Wico who are sickened by what co-workers have done. Although they are not worried about the audit, they are worried about public perception.
ReplyDeleteJOE: PLEASE LET US KNOW WHO OR WHICH ACCOUNTANT PERFORMED THE CITY'S AUDIT? DOESN'T THE COUNTY REQUIRES ITS SUPPLIERS TO ROUTINELY NOTIFY IT IF THERE IS EXCESSIVE USAGE; 10% or greater over prior similar period. From my experiences with Procurement and Bidding, that's pretty standard to government contracts. If those Notices were received by the County, who got them and who ignored them? Also, if the Notices were not supplied by the Suppliers per the Contract, then someone needs to take action against the Supplier for facilitating these oppportunities. Thanks, please look into this aspect--you can get the County to give you copies of its supplier agreements--we can't
ReplyDeleteThe city uses Trice, Geary & Myers as their auditors. Since 2003 I might add. Audits have been late every year since. Interesting, eh?
ReplyDeleteWHICH FIRM DOES THE CURRENT COUNTY AUDITING?
ReplyDelete