|
|
| |
| Thu, Dec. 4, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
Audit: Worker charged $150k at Wal-Mart on county credit card Saturday, Jun 9, 2007 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A Ouachita County employee used a county-issued Wal-Mart credit card to purchase more than $150,000 in personal items, including food and tobacco products, a state auditor told legislators Friday. An audit of county finances showed Judy Bryant, who worked as an administrative assistant to County Judge Mike Hesterly, used a Wal-Mart credit card to purchase $150,493 in unauthorized personal items between Jan. 1, 2002, and the end of last year, according to a presentation to the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. "Basically, anything Wal-Mart sold, she bought using the county's credit card," auditor Beverly Thwing told the committee. "That just astounds me," Rep. Betty Pickett, D-Conway, said after Thwing presented the audit's findings. Bryant, who resigned her job with the county following the audit, faces possible criminal charges. Ouachita County Prosecutor Robin Carroll said Friday an investigation is under way and that felony theft charges could be filed within two weeks. The county judge, who did not attend Friday committee meeting at the state Capitol, said later that he regretted the incident and the audit findings. Bryant worked in the office for 16 years under four county judges. "People trusted her," Hesterly said. "It's very unfortunate. She was a long-time employee of the county. I regret this not only for the county but for her and her family." Hesterly said he had given Bryant the responsibility of reviewing all financial statements and claims when he was not in the office. "She was designated to sign them because she was a trusted employee," he said. "In consideration of all that has happened, now I'm signing all of them." Bryant's attorney, Gene Bramble of Camden, did not immediately return a telephone call to his office Friday afternoon seeking comment. During Friday's meeting, lawmakers were presented a list of some of the items Bryant purchased with the credit card, including bubble gum, jellybeans, soft drinks, pizza and eggs. Another document showed she purchased cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Thwing said auditors discovered the unauthorized purchases after they noticed some monthly credit card statements did not have receipts listing the items purchased. "There was a lack of management oversight," Thwing said. Hesterly said he has issued an order discontinuing the use of Wal-Mart credit cards by all personnel under his management. In a letter to state auditors dated Wednesday, Hesterly said auditors spoke with him last August, saying they were having difficulty getting information from Bryant about credit card purchases she apparently had made. Hesterly said in the letter that he confronted her about the purchases. "She admitted that there were 'a lot' of things purchased that were not proper and that she had used her county Wal-Mart card in the wrong manner," Hesterly wrote, adding he then asked for her resignation. In the letter, and on Friday, Hesterly said he did not believe other county employees were involved or had any knowledge of what Bryant was doing. "This was just a case of misplaced trust in an individual with a vital position in the organization," Hesterly wrote. |
