Post by Bornthrilla on May 29, 2008 12:21:05 GMT -5
Audit: UNCG official violated state hiring policies
A UNCG official violated state hiring policies and misused more than $431,000 in state money, according to a report from the state auditor’s office released today. The official’s name was not immediately available.
By J. Brian Ewing
Staff Writer
A UNCG official violated state hiring policies and misused more than $431,000 in state money, according to a report from the state auditor's office released today. The official's name was not immediately available.
The report found that the vice chancellor for Information Technology Services used $431,925 in state funds - including $212,000 in student fees - to bypass university policy and inappropriately hire a contractor referred through an associate.
"$65,000 was used to pay for the contractor's commute from Los Angeles and Las Vegas with excessive reimbursements for meals including two purchases of alcoholic beverages, which is prohibited by State policy," the report states.
The vice chancellor also authorized a pay increase from $150 to $200 an hour after the contractor requested a higher rate.
The report originated as an anonymous tip to the State Auditor's Hotline. Investigators reviewed six contracts with outside contractors and one contract with a university employee.
State purchasing policy requires documentation when competition is not obtained, and university procedure requires UNCG legal counsel to review all outside contracts before they are signed by the appropriate employee: the vice chancellor of business affairs, not ITS. The report found violations of these policies and recommended tightening the university's internal controls.
A UNCG official violated state hiring policies and misused more than $431,000 in state money, according to a report from the state auditor’s office released today. The official’s name was not immediately available.
By J. Brian Ewing
Staff Writer
A UNCG official violated state hiring policies and misused more than $431,000 in state money, according to a report from the state auditor's office released today. The official's name was not immediately available.
The report found that the vice chancellor for Information Technology Services used $431,925 in state funds - including $212,000 in student fees - to bypass university policy and inappropriately hire a contractor referred through an associate.
"$65,000 was used to pay for the contractor's commute from Los Angeles and Las Vegas with excessive reimbursements for meals including two purchases of alcoholic beverages, which is prohibited by State policy," the report states.
The vice chancellor also authorized a pay increase from $150 to $200 an hour after the contractor requested a higher rate.
The report originated as an anonymous tip to the State Auditor's Hotline. Investigators reviewed six contracts with outside contractors and one contract with a university employee.
State purchasing policy requires documentation when competition is not obtained, and university procedure requires UNCG legal counsel to review all outside contracts before they are signed by the appropriate employee: the vice chancellor of business affairs, not ITS. The report found violations of these policies and recommended tightening the university's internal controls.
