(The Center Square) – Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick completed a closeout audit of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office this week.
The audit gave former Attorney General Eric Schmitt a rating of “good,” according to a statement. Schmitt won a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2022. Andrew Bailey succeeded him as Attorney General in January 2023.
The audit looked at finances and procedures for the previous administration — until Bailey took office.
The State Auditor conducts closeout audits of statewide offices to help newly-elected office holders aware of possible areas for improvement during their tenure.
The report reviewed how the Financial Services Section for the Office of Attorney General must improve its policies and procedures regarding accounts receivable collections.
The report reviewed 40 cases and noticed an improvement in the accounts receivable case records since its 2020 audit. The report recommended more improvements to better ensure adequate and timely collection activities.
Reviewing those 40 cases, the audit said nine have remaining balances combining for about $559,000. Yet, collection efforts for those have not been performed in recent years.
Similarly, the audit found that accounting personnel failed to prepare a monthly list of liabilities for the Merchandising Practices Restitution bank account from September 2021 through March 2023.
The audit also found that the office’s Information Technology Department (ITD) never established policies regarding electronic equipment assigned to employees; additionally, it found that ITD procedures lack a requirement for a complete record supporting the equipment (laptop computer, cell phone, et cetera) being assigned to, and returned from, terminated employees.
Also, the report found the office failed to maintain complete vehicle usage logs for one pool vehicle out of the six reviewed.
Bailey is seeking re-election in 2024. It would be his first full term in office.
One can view the complete audit here.
