Madison County taxpayers have new reason to question who was watching their money after State Auditor Rob Sand said two county audits lacked enough evidence to verify whether the county’s financial statements were accurate.Sand released the reports on Thursday, issuing qualified opinions on the two audits of Madison County, saying his office could not obtain enough evidence to verify the accuracy of the county’s financial statements.The audits uncovered a series of financial irregularities, including missing checks, unposted deposits, undisclosed bank accounts and deposits that were not made until months after they were received. The findings come in the wake of the criminal charges filed against former Madison County Treasurer Amanda DeVos, who is accused of tampering with records, theft and fraud.The audits also follow a controversial decision by the Madison County Board of Supervisors, which voted last year to hire an out-of-state auditing firm instead of using the Iowa State Auditor’s Office.Speaking to reporters during a Thursday afternoon news conference, Sand said Madison County taxpayers have every reason to be frustrated by the findings.”I think if you were a taxpayer in Madison County right now, you’ve got a lot of reasons to be angry, and I’d be angry too,” Sand said. “The answer to that is to listen to folks, to sit down and read our report. If you’ve got the time to do it, to really understand what the facts are. And then, you know, talk to your neighbors and be a citizen of your county and choose accordingly.”Sand said the audit findings raise serious concerns about the county’s financial oversight and accountability. The full impact of the issues identified in the audits remains unclear, but taxpayers could ultimately bear the consequences.In a statement released a few hours after the news conference, current Madison County Auditor Michele Brant said she shares “the same concerns as my neighbors.””I appreciate the professionalism of the State Auditor’s Office and the guidance they have offered through the Exit Conference and Report Review,” she said.Brant said that her office will cooperate fully with any future requests the state might have. “I can also assure the residents of Madison County that I am doing my very best to be a good steward of their money; that I am evaluating and making decisions in the public’s best interests, not my own,” she said. “I have worked tirelessly and will continue to do so until the ‘mess’ is cleaned up.”Attempts to reach members of the Madison County Board of Supervisors were unsuccessful.You can find the two audit reports here:Madison County FY23Madison County FY24FULL NEWS CONFERENCE: Auditor Rob Sand addresses Madison County audit report» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayReplay Sand’s news conference

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Madison County taxpayers have new reason to question who was watching their money after State Auditor Rob Sand said two county audits lacked enough evidence to verify whether the county’s financial statements were accurate.

Sand released the reports on Thursday, issuing qualified opinions on the two audits of Madison County, saying his office could not obtain enough evidence to verify the accuracy of the county’s financial statements.

The audits uncovered a series of financial irregularities, including missing checks, unposted deposits, undisclosed bank accounts and deposits that were not made until months after they were received. The findings come in the wake of the criminal charges filed against former Madison County Treasurer Amanda DeVos, who is accused of tampering with records, theft and fraud.

The audits also follow a controversial decision by the Madison County Board of Supervisors, which voted last year to hire an out-of-state auditing firm instead of using the Iowa State Auditor’s Office.

Speaking to reporters during a Thursday afternoon news conference, Sand said Madison County taxpayers have every reason to be frustrated by the findings.

“I think if you were a taxpayer in Madison County right now, you’ve got a lot of reasons to be angry, and I’d be angry too,” Sand said. “The answer to that is to listen to folks, to sit down and read our report. If you’ve got the time to do it, to really understand what the facts are. And then, you know, talk to your neighbors and be a citizen of your county and choose accordingly.”

Sand said the audit findings raise serious concerns about the county’s financial oversight and accountability. The full impact of the issues identified in the audits remains unclear, but taxpayers could ultimately bear the consequences.

In a statement released a few hours after the news conference, current Madison County Auditor Michele Brant said she shares “the same concerns as my neighbors.”

“I appreciate the professionalism of the State Auditor’s Office and the guidance they have offered through the Exit Conference and Report Review,” she said.

Brant said that her office will cooperate fully with any future requests the state might have.

“I can also assure the residents of Madison County that I am doing my very best to be a good steward of their money; that I am evaluating and making decisions in the public’s best interests, not my own,” she said. “I have worked tirelessly and will continue to do so until the ‘mess’ is cleaned up.”

Attempts to reach members of the Madison County Board of Supervisors were unsuccessful.

You can find the two audit reports here:

FULL NEWS CONFERENCE: Auditor Rob Sand addresses Madison County audit report

» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page

» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

Replay Sand’s news conference

This content is imported from YouTube.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.