Features Editor

An audit of the Pike County Commission by the State Department of Examiners of Public Accounts has been completed and a report will be released to the public around June 7.

According to

Mike Scroggins, director of county audit

for the state, the audit for the period from Oct. 1, 2000, until Sept. 30, began in January 2002 and was completed in April 2002.

The rumor mill has been churning since the exit conference held by the board of examiners at the conclusion of the audit.

In responding to questions about the audit, County Administrator Harry Sanders confirmed the audit did reveal "findings," which he defined as discrepancies or something not normal in the transaction of business.

However, Sanders said his office has no secrets to hide, but an exit conference is similar to a grand jury testimony and he cannot comment on the audit for legal reasons.

"The audit is a public document and the board of examiner’s report will be released from Montgomery and through proper channels," he

said. "The audit report will be made public as soon as it is released to us. People have questions and they deserve answers."

Sanders said he does not know the origin of the "questions" that have been raised in about the audit.

"I got a call from WSFA-TV the day the governor was here (May 13) about the misuse of funds in the county commission office," he said. "But, I’m not aware of anything and we are not attempting to cover up anything. The report will be made public as soon as it is released to us."

Those present for the exit conference and who would have knowledge of the "findings" were Sanders, his office staff and the Pike County Commissioners.

Commissioner Larry Meeks responded to inquiries by The Messenger and said he will have a statement at the proper time. Attempts to reach other commissioners were not successful.