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2016 Press Highlights

Press Highlights for 2016

Office of the State Auditor Completes Single Audit of Federal Funds Received by State in Fiscal Year 2016 – December 2016

Utah spent $4.4 billion in federal funds last year, audit shows
By Dennis Romboy | Deseret News
December 20, 2016

Audit: Utah spent $4.4 billion federal dollars in 2016
by David DeMille | The Spectrum DeMille’s Notebook
December 20, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Analysis – The Cost of Yesterday’s Pension Promises to Public Education – December 2016

Office of the State Auditor releases “The Cost of Yesterday’s Pension Promises to Public Education”
By The Independent
December 16, 2016

How teachers might have gotten a raise
By Jay Evensen | Deseret News
December 15, 2016

State Auditor’s report: past pension planning costing public ed today
By David DeMille | The Spectrum DeMille’s Notebook
December 13, 2016

Public education lost $204M diverted to pension funds, Utah auditor says
By Dennis Romboy | Deseret News
December 13, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Comparison of First-year Salaries for Education Majors to First-year Salaries for Other Majors – November 2016

Low salaries for new teachers could impact job choices
By Louise R. Shaw | The Davis Clipper
November 24, 2016

Office of the State Auditor releases comparison of first-year salaries
By The Independent
November 20, 2016

Utah auditor: Public education needs to wake up to teacher salary problem
by Daniel Woodruff | KUTV2
November 14, 2016

State Audit Confirms That First Year Teacher Salaries Don’t Measure Up
By Lee Hale | KUER
November 15, 2016

Report: Education among worst-paying college majors in Utah
By Daphne Chen | Deseret News and KSL.com
November 15, 2016

Poll on Term Limits for Elected Officials

Poll finds vast majority of Utahns favor term limits
By Glen Mills | ABC4 Utah
October 6, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Report on Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control – Special Financial and Limited Performance Audit For Procedures Performed During Fiscal Year 2016 – September 2016

State liquor outlets should run more like convenience stores, Utah auditor says
By Dennis Romboy | Deseret News
September 27, 2016

DABC Audit Shows Some Progress, Makes Recommendations For Staff Efficiency
By Nicole Nixon | KUER
September 27, 2016

Audit highlights low wages among Utah liquor store employees
By Kathy Stephenson | The Salt Lake Tribune
September 27, 2016

DABC audit shows hourly state liquor store employees the lowest paid in the nation
By Kimberly Nelson | ABC4 Utah
September 27, 2016

Report: Utah could be losing out on alcohol tax revenue
By Associated Press | Cache Valley Daily
September 27, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Reports on Credit Card Internal Controls and Certain Financial Activities for Four Independent State Entities – September 2016

Auditor: Utah Dairy Commission’s spending concerning
by Associated Press | Cache Valley Daily
September 15, 2016

Auditor: Dairy Commission ‘operating in the shadows’
By Matt Canham | The Salt Lake Tribune
September 14, 2016

Auditor chides Utah Dairy Commission over misused credit cards, accountability
By Dennis Romboy | Deseret News
September 14, 2016

Auditor finds Utah dairy commission spent for manicure, football tickets
by KUTV2
September 14, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases A Performance Audit of Medicaid Prescription Drug Controls – August 2016

Utah audit reveals state paid for prescriptions for dead people
by Associated Press | KUTV2
August 19, 2016

Audit: Utah Medicaid prescription drug system susceptible to fraud
By Wendy Leonard | Deseret News
August 17, 2016

Audit: Utah paid for small number of prescriptions written by dead doctors
By Alex Stuckey | The Salt Lake Tribune
August 18, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Report on Emery County Improper Wire Transfer by County Treasurer – August 2016

County recovers large portion of loss due to cybercrime
By The San Juan Record
September 6, 2016

Cyber thieves scam $48,620 from County
By The San Juan Record
August 23, 2016

State audit: Emery County treasurer deviated from policy after inadvertently wiring $38,700 to scam artist
By Courtney Tanner | The Salt Lake Tribune
August 16, 2016

‘Spear phishing’ scam takes 2 Utah counties for thousands of dollars
By Dennis Romboy | Deseret News
August 16, 2016

Report: 2 Utah counties lose thousands in phishing scam
By Associated Press | The Olympian
August 16, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Review of Internal Controls at the Utah Communications Authority – August 2016

State Auditor Recommends Changes to UCA’s Financial Documentation
By Nicole Nixon | KUER
August 9, 2016

Utah communications agency needs tighter financial controls, state audit shows
By Dennis Romboy | Deseret News
By August 9, 2016

Utah auditor makes recommendations in wake of $1 million embezzlement scandal
By Christopher Smart | The Salt Lake Tribune
August 10, 2016

Feds to decide whether to bring charges against two who stole from troubled Utah agency
By Christopher Smart | The Salt Lake Tribune
August 8, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Report on Kaysville City Review of Expenditures for “Big Red” Fire Engine 2016 Parade Entry – August 2016

Ethics plan may be trimmed in Kaysville, mayor asks ‘can’t we all get along?’
By Brian Mullahy | KUTV2
September 1, 2016

Kaysville residents divided over councilman’s use of city funds to repair personal firetruck
By Katie McKellar | Deseret News
August 18, 2016

Recent state audit a topic at Kaysville council meeting
By Doug Gibson | Standard Examiner
August 8, 2016

Auditor reviews Kaysville expenses
By Louise R. Shaw | The Davis Clipper
August 6, 2016

State audit reveals Kaysville city councilman illegally used city funds
By Robert Boyd | Fox 13
August 2, 2016

State investigation recommends Kaysville fire engine expenses be returned
By Doug Gibson | Standard Examiner
August 2, 2016

State audit blasts Kaysville councilman for using public money on personal fire engine
By Matt Gephardt | KUTV2
August 2, 2016

Kaysville councilman owes city nearly $6K, auditor says
By Katie McKellar | Deseret News and KSL.com
August 2, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Report on Utah Local Governments Trust – July 2016

Utah Auditor reviews ULGT expenses
agrip:  Association of Government Risk Pools
July 26, 2016

Local government board fostered ‘culture of excess,’ state audit shows
By Dennis Romboy |Deseret News
July 20, 2016

Utah audit blasts government insurance co-op for high CEO pay, pricey perks
By Cathy McKitrick | The Standard-Examiner
July 20, 2016

Utah State Auditor investigates Utah Local Governments Trust’s ‘questionable expenditures’
By Angelique McNaughton | Park Record
July 22, 2016

State auditor’s report on Utah Local Governments Trust reveals ‘culture of excess’
By Tamara Vaifanua | Fox 13
July 20, 2016

State auditor uncovers ‘culture of excess’ using taxpayer money
By Chris Miller | KUTV2
July 20, 2016

Editorial: Utah State Auditor lifts rocks to let sunlight in
Salt Lake Tribune
July 25, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Report on Investigation of Theft – July 2016

Former employee charged with defrauding Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind
By Ben Lockhart | Deseret News and KSL.com
September 30, 2016

Woman accused of stealing $67K from Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind
By Loretta Park | The Standard-Examiner
September 30, 2016

Utah deaf and blind schools boss hopes to recoup stolen funds
By Benjamin Wood | The Salt Lake Tribune
August 4, 2016

Audit: Employee stole $67K from Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind
By Benjamin Wood | The Salt Lake Tribune
July 19, 2016

Audit: Ex-employee embezzled $67K from Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind
By Morgan Jacobsen |Deseret News
July 19, 2016

Audit Finds Fraud, Theft At Utah Schools For The Deaf And Blind
By Whittney Evans | KUER
July 19, 2016

Former employee steals $67K from schools for deaf, blind
By Cristina Flores | KUTV2
July 19, 2016

Former employee stole $67K from Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind, state audit shows
By Tamara Vaifuna | Fox 13
July 19, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases A Limited Performance Audit of Independent State Entity Transparency – July 2016

Editorial: Dougall’s audit shows the need for state agencies to operate in the open
The Salt Lake Tribune
July 20, 2016

Audit: Many independent state entities violate Utah open meetings laws
By Lee Davidson | The Salt Lake Tribune
July 18, 2016

Independent state agencies routinely violate Utah open meeting law, audit shows
By Dennis Romboy |Deseret News
July 18, 2016

Department of Workforce Services Helps to Bring Down Multi-State Fraudster After Adopting Office’s Recommendations to Use Data Analytics Techniques to Detect SNAP Abuse – June 2016
(Follow up from original Performance Audit of Data Analytics Techniques to Detect SNAP Abuse – January 2016)

Charges: Clerks at West Valley convenience store defrauded food stamps program
By Ben Lockhart, Deseret News
August 19, 2016

What’s being done to plug the holes used by food-stamp-fraudsters?
By Matt Gephardt | KUTV2
July 4, 2016

Arkansas woman charged with defrauding Utah food stamp cards
By the Associated Press | KATV7 Little Rock Arkansas
July 3, 2016

Utah data checks uncover alleged multistate food stamp fraud
By Marjorie Cortez | Deseret News and KSL.com
July 1, 2016

Stay in jail, judge orders Little Rock suspect in welfare fraud
By Linda Satter | ArkansasOnline Arkansas Democrat Gazette
June 28, 2016

Office Releases an Analysis Report on NCAA Athletics Revenue
Subsidization for Utah’s Public Colleges and Universities – Original Report July 2015

Doug Robinson: $280M UCLA deal breaks record, adds to disparity
By Doug Robinson | Deseret News
Friday, May 27 2016

A Performance Audit of the Division of Rehabilitation Services Cost Controls – Original Report September 2013

Gov. Herbert cuts wood blindfolded to mark Utah State Office of Rehabilitation’s new role
By Marjorie Cortez | The Deseret News
October 3, 2016

Changes in State Office of Rehabilitation Services keep the focus on helping people
By Marjorie Cortez | Deseret News
June 17 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases A Performance Audit of Utah Communications Authority Financial Management and Transparency – May 2016

UCA board grapples with funding freeze in wake of fraud, audit
By Michael Anderson | The Salt Lake Tribune
May 24, 2016

Audit criticizes Utah Communications Authority practices  – KSL
Audit criticizes Utah Communications Authority practices –  The Roanoke Times
Audit criticizes Utah Communications Authority practices – Cache Valley Daily
Associated Press
May 22, 2016

Audit says Utah agency ripe for fraud with lax controls, lack of transparency
By Michael Anderson | The Salt Lake Tribune
May 18, 2016

Audit: Public safety communication agency’s status needs legislative review
By Ben Lockhart | Deseret News
May 18 2016

Lawmakers want more control over public safety communication agency bilked by employee
By Lisa Riley Roche | Deseret News
May 17, 2016

Auditor wants Utah Communications Authority to list finances
By the Associated Press | Washington Times
April 17, 2016

Office of the  State Auditor Releases Report on Kane County’s Internal Control and Financial Practices – April 2016

Office of the State Auditor releases report on Kane County embezzlement
By The Independent
May 1, 2016

Missing Kane County money a ‘wake-up’ call for Utah elected officials
By Dennis Romboy |Deseret News
April 27, 2016

Treasurer scandal a ‘painful learning experience’
by David DeMille | The Spectrum
April 27, 2016

Utah Communications Authority Receives Warning from Office of the State Auditor – April 2016

Recordings suggest communications agency broke open-meetings law during personnel vote
By Michael Anderson | The Salt Lake Tribune
May 2, 2016

Board for Utah quasigovernment agency votes for big changes in wake of financial scandal
By Michael Anderson | The Salt Lake Tribune
April 26, 2016

Embattled state agency could see more trouble over lack of transparency
By Paul Nelson | KSL News Radio
April 18, 2016

Auditor warns secretive Utah agency to report finances or face funding freeze
By Michael Anderson | The Salt Lake Tribune
April 17, 2016

Director of Utah 911 agency resigns amid embezzlement probe
By Lauren Steinbrecher and Mark Green | Fox13
April 8, 2016

Office of the Utah State Auditor Releases Washington County School District Report on Internal Control and Compliance Over Credit Card Use – April 2016

State Auditor reviews Washington County School District’s dubious credit card use
By The Independent
April, 17, 2016

Washington County school district reviewing credit card guidelines after audit
By DJ Bolerjack | KUTV2 News
April 13, 2016

School District audit pokes holes in credit card reporting
By David DeMille | The Spectrum
Apr 12th, 2016

Audit: Credit card spending at Washington County school district is ‘risky behavior’ – Deseret News
Audit: Credit card spending at Washington County school district is ‘risky behavior’ –  KSL.com
By Daphne Chen
Apr 12th, 2016

How Did Washington Co. School District Abuse Credit Card Policies?
By Hailey Higgins | ABC4 Utah
Apr 12th, 2016

Utah Agencies Collaborate to Stop Retail Food Stamp Fraud – Joint Press Release – March 2016

Utah market served with search warrant in food stamp fraud investigation
By Nate Carlisle | The Salt Lake Tribune
March 31, 2016
Officials Crackdown on Food Stamp Fraud
Good4Utah.com
March 31, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Review of Southwest Utah Public Health Department – March 2016

Office of the State Auditor releases review of Southwest Utah Public Health Department
By The Independent
March 27, 2016
The State Auditor says a public health department in southern Utah violated state law and failed to release financial information
The Associated Press | Daily Journal
March 24, 2016
State auditor puts Southern Utah health department under microscope
By DJ Bolerjack | KUTV2 News
March 23, 2016
Audit: Southwest Utah Public Health Department violated state law
By Benjamin Wood | The Salt Lake Tribune
March 22, 2016
State auditors: lack of transparency, oversight at local health department
By David DeMille | The Spectrum
March 21, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases Kane County Report on Investigation of Theft – March 2016

Former Kane County treasurer faces embezzlement charges
By Kevin Jenkins | The Spectrum
October 10, 2016
Former Kane County treasurer charged with misusing public money
By Pat Reavy | Deseret News
October 6, 2016
Former Kane County treasurer allegedly stole more than $33,000 in county funds
By The Salt Lake Tribune
October 6, 2016
Kane County treasurer resigns amid misuse of public funds allegations
By Haven Scott, The Spectrum
March 24, 2016
Kane County Treasurer resigns amid investigation of misuse of public funds
By Paul Dail | St. George News
March 23, 2016
Office of the Utah State Auditor releases Kane County Report on Investigation of Theft
By The Independent
March 22, 2016
Audit: Missing money from Kane County coffers linked to county treasurer – KSL.com
Audit: Missing money from Kane County coffers linked to county treasurer – Deseret News
Audit: Missing money from Kane County coffers linked to county treasurer – Sun Times Network
Audit: Missing money from Kane County coffers linked to county treasurer – Geos News
By McKenzie Romero
March 14, 2016
Utah audit finds ‘improper and illegal’ transfers from county funds to treasurer’s personal accounts
By Jessica Miller | The Salt Lake Tribune
March 14, 2016
Kane County Treasurer resigns over alleged embezzlement
By DJ Bolerjack | KUTV2 News
March 14, 2016
Audit: Kane County treasurer put public funds into personal bank account
By David DeMille | The Spectrum
March 14, 2016
Utah State Breaking News – Auditor releases findings on Baca investigation
By Dixie Brunner | Southern Utah News
March 14, 2016
Kane County Treasurer Resigns As Scope of Fraud Comes to Light
By Mike Reilley | Lake Powell Life
March 15, 2016
County treasurer resigns amid embezzlement investigation
Associated Press | Cache Valley Daily
March 15, 2016
County treasurer resigns amid embezzlement investigation
Associated Press | Washington Times (Washington, D.C.)
March 15, 2016

Kane County Treasurer under investigation

Kane County Treasurer under investigation
By Mike Reilley | Lake Powell Life
February 23, 2016
Kane County Treasurer Under Investigation
Southern Utah News
February 18, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Announces New Training Courses Designed for Elected Officials in Local Governments – January 2016

New training for elected officials (roundup)
By Karissa Neely | Daily Herald
February 5, 2016

State Auditor talks transparency with Utah County Republican Women

State Auditor talks transparency with Utah County Republican Women
By Katie England | Daily Herald
February 1, 2016

Office of the State Auditor Releases A Performance Audit of Data Analytics Techniques to Detect SNAP Abuse – January 2016

Food stamp fraud in Utah subject of Utah State Auditor report
By The Independent, St. George and Southern Utah
January 7, 2016
Auditor says DWS could do better at identifying and following up on potential food stamp fraud
By Glen Mills | ABC4 Utah
January 5, 2016
Officials want to eliminate fraud in food stamp progam
By Rod Decker and Larry D. Curtis | KUTV2
January 5, 2016
Audit Details Methods for Detecting Food Stamps Abuse
By Nicole Nixon | KUER
January 5, 2016
Political Cornflakes – News roundup
Tribune Political Reporters | The Salt Lake Tribune
January 6, 2016