Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., announced today that the accounting firm of McLean, Koehler, Sparks & Hammond of Hunt Valley, MD, has been hired to conduct a complete forensic investigation of financial activities and practices at the county’s landfill operation. Robert A. Garvey, Jr., a Certified Fraud Examiner and a member of the firm, has begun work on this project which is a direct result of the recent theft discoveries at the county landfill.
Mr. Pollitt expressed a strong desire that the cost of the audit not exceed $30,000 but noted, “At any cost, the expense of the audit is insignificant compared to the price we have paid in the damage done to public confidence.” Funding for the investigation will come from the landfill account and no county property taxes will be used to pay the examiners’ fees.
The criminal investigation by the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation into the landfill thefts continues. Pollitt noted that the audit investigation will complement the work of the Bureau as the two agencies work hand in hand to uncover the entire scope of the landfill scandal.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
10 comments:
Why stop at the land fill Iam sure there is more stealing in other departments.
LET'S HOPE THE CITY OF SALISBURY HIRES THEM, TOO, TO INVESTIGATE ITS PROBLEMS.
Joe, thank you for staying on top of this, if we had waited for the "DD" to tell we would never have know.
Rick Pollitt has absolutely done the right thing with the move to hire this accounting group. There must be and audit that goes beyond the Land Fill and Public Works. The finances of Wicomico County have been and are in horrendous condition. The current Finance Director does what she is told by Ricks subordinate.
If Rick is smart and I know he is he must insure the financial condition of the County is once and for all reconciled and that reconciliation is presented to the tax payers.
I would think the suspects may be sued for civil liabilities after the criminal prosecution. Is this the case? Can our County recover the expense of the audit from the criminals?
The county Sheriff's department should be able to confiscate, property, equipment and whatever else they see fit if the people are guilty they need to pay restitution. I don't know what department would be on the receiving end of that or the general fund.
It is a real possibility that those accused of the crimes against Wicomico County would be obligated to repay not only the cost of the audit but the cost of what was stolen. A strong States Attorneys Office will insist on that reimbursement even if there is a plea bargain. As a matter of fact the repayment of Wicomico,s losses should be the center point of the prosecution.
I would hope Rick Pollitt doesn't stop at Public Works. They need to take a good look at Parks & Recreation (Gary Mackes), Soil Conservation and definitely the liquor board.
Remember when Pollitt ran for co. executive he was going to prove to the taxpayers that with him running the county that he would prove to the voters we could eliminate the cap.What we have found out with his leadership their are no controls in any of the departments he is in charge of controlling.
^5, ANOM 7:34, what i been sayn all along, Joe, the citizens of wico co. that i've talked to about this crap concerning theft all seem to agree : RAY LEWIS GOT AWAY WITH WHAT HE DID BECAUSE HE WAS ALLOWED TO!!!! Damnit, i dunno why people can't see that. it doesn't nake him any less guilty, but he sure could not have done what he did without some inside help. LOTS OF INSIDE HELP. And how do we know what the hell else is being stolen, has been stolen with the help of "white collar aid?" HUH? YEAHHHHHHH, BOYS AND GIRLS, GET YER HEADS OUTTA THE SAND. LOOK AROUND, REPORT WHAT YOU SEE..... JOE WILL DAMN SURE BRING IT TO LIGHT!!!!!
12:52... soil conservation is a state agency.
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