The findings were part of a special report issued Friday by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accountants to the authority.
According to the minutes of the June 10, 2009, Wattsville Water Authority meeting, the board talked about an audit that revealed differences in amounts receivable and tolerable misstatements and adjustments made to billing, including excessive adjustments to billing, and other issues.
The minutes state the employee in question tried to justify certain adjustments. After entering an executive session, the meeting was reopened and the employee was terminated effective 9:30 p.m. that same day.
According to the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accountants report, “the charges against the employee resulted from amounts collected but not deposited into the bank account and personal credit card purchases.”
The report stated an official demand was made on the employee to pay the charges, but the employee refused.
“A letter was sent to the employee requesting repayment in the amount of $368,112.22,” the report read. “At a meeting with the chief examiner (Ronald Jones), the former employee failed to appear and show just cause as to why the amount should not be repaid; therefore, relief was accordingly denied as evidenced by the Order of the Chief Examiner contained in this report. The charges remain due and unpaid and, as a result, this report will be certified to the district attorney for collection.”
St. Clair County District Attorney Richard Minor said the District Attorney’s Office has no comment at this time.
Read more: The Daily Home - Ex Water Authority employee won t repay debt
