VINTON COUNTY, Ohio — A former township fiscal officer in Vinton County has been issued a finding for recovery of $3,514.06 after auditors determined her late payroll submissions cost Knox Township thousands in avoidable penalties.
The finding was issued Tuesday against Teresa Weaver, who served as fiscal officer for Knox Township from April 2020 through December 2022, following an audit of the township’s finances covering January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023.
According to the Ohio Auditor of State, Weaver failed to submit payroll withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service, the Ohio Department of Taxation, and the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System by their required deadlines. The late payments triggered fees and penalties totaling $3,514.06.
Auditors were pointed in their assessment, writing that late payment fees and penalties incurred through gross negligence are illegal expenditures that do not serve a proper public purpose and would have been avoided had funds been remitted on time.
Weaver and her bonding company are jointly and liable for the full amount.
The complete audit report is available at ohioauditor.gov.