An investigation by the Comptroller’s Division of Local Government Audit has revealed the Warren County Memorial Airport is missing more than $20,000. The investigation was conducted in coordination with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and covered the time period from July 1, 2007 through September 30, 2011.
Investigators found that at least 29 receipts issued during that time frame were never deposited with the Warren County Trustee’s Office. The receipts were issued for the sale of aircraft fuel, hangar rentals and rental of houses on airport-owned property.
Also, investigators discovered 40 invoices in the airport’s accounting software system had been voided without supporting documentation.
A former employee had not paid a portion of rent owed on a hangar he used or reimbursed the airport for aircraft fuel and other personal expenses that were charged to the airport.
In all, at least $20,791.68 was missing from the airport’s records, the investigation showed.
Investigators noted that the airport commission lacked adequate safeguards to monitor the operations of the airport.
“It is important for all local governments and government agencies, including airport authorities, to maintain adequate oversight over public funds,” Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said. “It is important for those agencies to develop good accounting and bookkeeping practices, which include what auditors refer to as internal controls. Those controls were not sufficient in this case. I commend our investigators and those from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for bringing these issues to light.”
