Our financial related audit and special investigation of Four-County Community Services, Inc. identified approximately $4.9 million in total questioned costs. We discovered the former Executive Director received more than $215,000 in questionable payments and employees received nearly $641,000 in improperly paid bonuses. In addition, Four-County improperly spent $670,000 intended for its Head Start and More at Four programs for expenses unrelated to the programs. The audit and investigation revealed that Four-County violated conflict of interest, nepotism, and bidding policies and procedures related to contracts for vehicles, copiers, cleaning services, and other items and services. The agency misused grant money to pay for employees' gym memberships and unallowable tuition reimbursements while improperly paying Board members for travel reimbursements and electronic equipment. Auditors and investigators found that Four-County paid the primary contractor for its Weatherization Assistance Program for work not performed, allowed that contractor inappropriate access to the program's computer system, and did not complete final inspections for all work.
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