COLUMBUS, Ohio — Auditor of State Keith Faber announced findings for recovery totaling $3,175 against former officials of the Pike County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The findings stem from late fees and other improper expenditures.
A finding of $2,518 was issued against Bruce Dailey, the bureau’s treasurer/acting director. This sum encompasses business reimbursements issued without proper receipts or documentation, overdraft and late fees, and expenditures lacking verification for serving a proper public purpose.
Former Executive Director Sharon Manson received an additional finding of $657, primarily related to credit card interest and late fees.
These findings were part of a broader audit examining the bureau’s finances from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021. Auditors identified 14 issues in total.
Trustees Barbara Patterson, Tom Patterson, and Roy Brown are jointly and severally liable for $1,694, $1,143, and $772, respectively, of Tuesday’s findings for recovery. This liability arises from their endorsement of checks for the improper expenditures.
Auditors recommend the bureau to establish, approve, and implement policies and procedures ensuring proper support for all transactions. This includes original receipts for business expense reimbursements and adequate documentation for electronic transactions and other bureau transactions serving a public purpose.
It is noteworthy that a special audit released on March 23, 2023, revealed that Manson pleaded guilty in May 2022 in Pike County Common Pleas Court to misdemeanor counts of attempted theft in office and soliciting or accepting improper compensation. She was sentenced to 30 hours of community service, fined $250, and ordered to make restitution of $6,805.54. This restitution was based on misappropriated expenditures identified in the special audit, for which a finding for recovery was issued and subsequently repaid by Manson.
