A scathing audit of the Department of Juvenile Services exposed a host of large problems with recordkeeping, financial management, contracts, monitoring and personnel, including the loss of $3 million in federal Medicaid funds. Treatment funds were not recovered, $148 million in contracts did not get the proper approval, millions in other contracts were overpaid and ineligible employees got overtime pay or were paid twice.
The problems are so many and so severe that the General Assembly’s Joint Audit Committee plans a hearing on the report next month, its staff said.
Legislative Auditor Bruce Myers said that the 51-page audit of DJS found some “very serious issues.” The agency provides administrative services for young people in the juvenile justice system, as well as services for juveniles in state facilities.
Very few of the scores of audits done each year generate a hearing before the General Assembly.
“There are a lot of things in there,” Myers said. “A lot of big issues, a lot of money involved, a lot of problems.”
Millions lost or wasted
Millions lost or wasted
Several problems with the agency’s policies and procedures – or lack thereof – led to the loss or waste of millions of dollars.
“The state’s in desperate need of funds, and they’re leaving money on the table,” Myers said.
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