A forensic auditor's report is confirming the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department's management committed several inappropriate acts using taxpayers' money.

Iroquois County Board Chairman Rod Copas calls it "criminal."

Findings revealed in the eight-page report prepared by Bellevue, Wash.-based CliftonLarsonAllen LLP were policy revisions made without the board's approval. Other finds revealed included inaccurate budgeting, violation of bid procurement laws, and the misuse of grant money.

Copas, who also serves on the health department board, directed the audit investigation with accusations, including fraud. Copas called for a forensic audit of 2012 actions. The audit was reported to cost an estimated $50,000.

The audit's authors also stated they were steered toward alleged wrong-doings and that, other inappropriate actions within the organization may not be revealed in their findings only because the accusers hand-picked issues of concern.

Media reports had revealed that the health department disregarded its own procurement rules when it awarded a $127,000 contract to a company owned by the husband of a health department employee. That award was allegedly without a proper bid.

The audit also pointed to the questionable legality of former health department administrator Doug Corbett's plan to pursue a home-health care office serving two neighboring counties in Indiana.

A Watchdog Group alleged grant money was obtained to cover a portion of employees' salaries when the said employees never did work related to the grant.
The report reveals forensic auditors saying all of the actions were improper, adding that they violated state law and/or the agency's by-laws.

An earlier investigation by the Illinois Attorney General's Office returned a ruling that "board action may have been questionable, but not intentional, and did not meet the criteria worth pursuing."

94.1 WGFA