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Former Marion band director suspected of unauthorized spending Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A former Marion band director spent more than $13,000 in school funds for personal use, including casino gambling in Mississippi, state auditors told legislators Friday. The report has been turned over to a prosecutor for investigation, said Kim Williams, deputy legislative auditor, told members of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. "This is quite embarrassing for any school district," Marion School District Superintendent Dan Shepherd told lawmakers. Also Friday, auditors told legislators the city of Helena-West Helena has complied with the state audit department's request for records. The committee meets once a month to review audits of state agencies, educational institutions and counties and cities. Williams said an audit of the Marion School District, conducted by a private firm, discovered that in August 2004 former band director Brandon Robinson opened a bank account unauthorized by the district and over time deposited nearly $126,000 in band funds into the account. Williams spent $112,270 on band-related items, and the remaining $13,646 was used for personal expenses and gambling at a Mississippi casino, auditors said. Shepherd said the bank where the account was opened notified the school district after the account was overdrawn by $561. The superintendent said when he confronted Robinson, the band director resigned and has since paid the district $1,000. Shepherd said Robinson later enrolled at Louisiana State University to work toward a doctorate in music. "We want the rest of our money back for the sake of our school and the sake of our kids," Shepherd said. "I know you want the money back ... I want meat," Rep. Billy Gaskill, D-Paragould, "Why don't we put him in jail?" Williams said the audit report was just recently handed over to 2nd Judicial District Prosecutor Brent Davis. Shepherd told the committee he had implemented a policy prohibiting district personnel from opening new bank accounts without permission from the principal and superintendent. He also said local banks have been told of the new policy and asked to notify him if any district employee asks to open an account. Also during the meeting, lawmakers were updated on the progress of the city of Helena-West Helena in getting its records in order for state auditors. "It appears that they're getting everything in order and we want to commend them for getting it all worked out," said Rep. J.R. Rogers, D-Walnut Ridge, co-chairman of the committee. Last month, committee voted to recommend some of the city's state turnback funds be withheld because it had not complied with the audit department's request for records. The committee had a change of heart at the request of Rep. Clark Hall, D-Marvell, who represents the eastern Arkansas City. On Friday, Hall and Sen. Jack Crumbly, D-Earle, both said they were pleased that the city was working with legislative audit. Hall said part of the problem has been getting all of the financial information from 2006, the year the cities of Helena and West Helena merged. He said the audit is expected to begin Monday. "I understand that the city of Helena-West Helena has employed an accounting firm to help them get their books straightened out. We're very, very pleased that things are working out in the best interest of all the citizens of the city," Hall said. |
