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By Jeanie Powell - bio | email
NEW HOPE, AL (WAFF) - The Alabama Bureau of Investigation has been asked by the city of New Hope to launch a criminal investigation to see if any criminal charges are warranted.
This, after 19 issues of noncompliance were noted in a state-conducted audit.
At Monday night's city council meeting, some residents asked the mayor and council, "Who is investigating?"
Many felt their questions weren't answered.
Taxpayers are asking someone be held accountable.
A big concern for residents is a shortage of money.
Jan Baskins is a New Hope resident of about 27 years.
"I would like to know where it went and who spent it and I think it could have been put to a better use than in someone else's pocket," she said.
Debra Moon considers herself a lifelong New Hope resident.
She wants to know where the money went too.
"Who may be responsible for this, if they're going to get to the bottom of it, and if they will get to the bottom of it. I wouldn't want it swept under the rug, I'd make them accountable for it," she said.
The ABI confirmed that it's now looking to see if criminal charges will result from the Examiners of Public Accounts' findings.
Also at the council meeting, former city councilman Jason Smith referenced an independent auditor's report into New Hope's financial statements dating back to 2005.
The report exposed several red flags similar to ones found in the audit released Friday.
"I don't know," City Attorney Doug Martinson, Sr. responded when asked why someone did not intervene sooner.
"It covers two administrations. This audit started in October 1, 2007 and ended April 30, 2009, covered 19 months, so it's a matter for the city to address," Martinson explained.
He said financial responsibilities were divided among certain city officials and employees from the mayor to the city administrator to the municipal judge.
Two city employees have been placed on administrative leave with pay as a result of the investigation.
Martinson said it's indefinite.
To view the audit in its entirety, visit: http://www.examiners.state.al.us/PDFs/Audit09-0523.pdf
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C'mon, play. You know you want to. The boss will never know.
