Dutchess County Comptroller Robin Lois Issues Results of Forensic Audit on Utility and Telecommunication Accounts
Results Show Strong Internal Controls for Review and Processing of County Accounts
Poughkeepsie, NY – Dutchess County Comptroller Robin Lois today released the results of a forensic audit performed on the County’s Utility and Telecommunication accounts. This audit, performed by a third-party specializing in the review of utility and telecommunication accounts, covered six years of account activity for the period ending December 31, 2019. Of the nearly $2 million in utility expenses paid per year by Dutchess County, the consultant found $24,508 in credits, refunds, and future savings from vendors and utilities. The review was overseen by the Comptroller’s Office, with assistance from the Office of Central and Information Services
“This low percentage of errors found by the outside consultant is a result of the strong internal controls for vendor payments of the Office of Central and Informational Services, and the diligent review of payment requests by County departments and the Comptroller’s Office,” said Dutchess County Comptroller Robin Lois. “For comparative purposes, the same consultant found $1.36 million in refunds or savings in Erie County and $426,000 in refunds and futures savings in Rockland County. We appreciate the return of nearly $25,000 of taxpayer dollars, and have corrected the minor vendor issues of which the returns resulted.”
The audit also included a review of the County’s accounts with Bottini Fuel, following their November 2018 guilty plea to falsifying business records, and agreeing to pay more than $3.2 million in restitution and civil damages. Again, strong internal controls for the processing of invoices and payments appeared to prevent fraudulent activity or charges against any accounts held directly by the County.
