Posted On: 08/12/2016 9:53:00 AM
Post# of 108
The request for more transparency by Port Arthur citizens began in 2010. Finally, after redistricting of Jefferson County, and much brouhaha, in December 2014, Jefferson County’s First Criminal District Attorney Cory Crenshaw called for forensic audits of all of Port Arthur's transactions
In March of 2014 The Port Arthur City Council voted unanimously to approve a forensic audit of the city’s finances. In 2015 there were 10 arrests/indictments/criminal charges brought against Port Arthur Municipal Staff Members., which further demonstrated the need for an audit.
City Officials argued that a forensic audit could bankrupt the City, so a restrictive audit was the compromise. In general, only large transactions or transactions that could involve graft be included in the audit. No company or person is being specifically targeted or investigated.
This is an audit which looks back over already executed transactions. It is not for the approval or disapproval of new contracts, proposals or agreements. All proceedings will be "Closed door" and the results of the audits will be later disclosed. \
As explained by the Auditors:
“Agreed upon procedures is an engagement where you test certain elements or accounts,” Uribe explained. “What the agreed upon procedures does not do is give any kind of assurance, nor do we draw any kind of conclusions – that is left up to the user. No opinion is given with agreed upon procedures.
“It’s a substantially lesser scope than an audit; no internal controls are tested. Basically, the report would state what was tested, how we tested it and the procedures, and our findings.
“It’s up to the end user on how they draw their own conclusions. It would be the council’s duty to further investigate.”
In March of 2014 The Port Arthur City Council voted unanimously to approve a forensic audit of the city’s finances. In 2015 there were 10 arrests/indictments/criminal charges brought against Port Arthur Municipal Staff Members., which further demonstrated the need for an audit.
City Officials argued that a forensic audit could bankrupt the City, so a restrictive audit was the compromise. In general, only large transactions or transactions that could involve graft be included in the audit. No company or person is being specifically targeted or investigated.
This is an audit which looks back over already executed transactions. It is not for the approval or disapproval of new contracts, proposals or agreements. All proceedings will be "Closed door" and the results of the audits will be later disclosed. \
As explained by the Auditors:
“Agreed upon procedures is an engagement where you test certain elements or accounts,” Uribe explained. “What the agreed upon procedures does not do is give any kind of assurance, nor do we draw any kind of conclusions – that is left up to the user. No opinion is given with agreed upon procedures.
“It’s a substantially lesser scope than an audit; no internal controls are tested. Basically, the report would state what was tested, how we tested it and the procedures, and our findings.
“It’s up to the end user on how they draw their own conclusions. It would be the council’s duty to further investigate.”
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