Citing missing funds, questionable transactions, failure to comply with legal provisions and problems with accounting controls and procedures, the state auditor's office has cited the overall performance in these areas of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Callaway County as poor - the lowest of four possible ratings.
The report was released today (Wednesday) following a request from then-Presiding Judge Gary Oxenhandler in September 2012. Oxenhandler made the request when a routine accounting review of the circuit court by the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA) revealed "60 questionable transactions between Jan. 1, 2012, and Sept. 13, 2012, totaling $8,845 for which monies could be missing."
The audit went on to find that receipts totaling at least $355 were received by the court but not deposited, and additional funds upwards of $11,292 "may be missing based upon voided cash receipts, unsupported non-monetary transactions and improper reduction or non-assessment of fines and court costs in the computerized case management system."
The clerk supervisor at the time who was responsible for the problematic cases was placed on administrative leave Sept. 14, 2012 and terminated Oct. 6, 2012.
For further coverage, follow the Fulton Sun's coverage in tomorrow's print edition.