DA’s audit: Office managed $2.1M with no findings
Published 3:11 am Saturday, November 5, 2016
The State of Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts has released the latest audit report for the 22nd Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. For the period of Aug.1, 2013 through June 30, 2016, no instances of noncompliance were found.
The audit showed that the department received $2.1 million in receipts in its district attorney’s fund and worthless check unit fund from sources such as fees, restitution, drug task force, deferred prosecution, drug court, civil forfeitures, and more.
It disbursed $2.067 million, including $1.37 million in salaries and other wages; $66,535 in travel, education and witness expenses; $117,881 in office supplies and maintenance; $332,791 in restitution.
District Attorney Walt Merrell said, “As the District Attorney’s Office is charged with upholding the law, it is important we set the example for others to follow. This is the second audit that our office has been through since I’ve been here. On both occasions, the auditors found no accounting issues and, clearly, no wrongdoing. The people should expect and accept no less from their elected officials.”
“The credit for the success of the audit is primarily due to two people: Erin Wilson, our office manager, and Jeremie Shaffer, our restitution recovery unit coordinator. These two ladies are an invaluable asset to our office and to the people of Covington County,” Merrell said.
The department had a beginning fund balance of $119,037.93 on Aug. 1, 2013 in the district attorney’s fund and an ending balance of $183,455 on June 30, 2016. In the Worthless check unit, there was a beginning fund balance of $22,546.65 and ending fund balance of $1,233.61.