(The Center Square) – A Williamson County nonprofit says financial problems identified in a report from the Tennessee Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury are corrected.
An audit spanning the years 2020 to 2024 identified at least $250,453.33 in questionable credit card charges made by the Davis House Child Advocacy Center.
The majority of the comptroller’s findings occurred under an executive leadership and a Board of Directors that are no longer with the Davis House, the organization said in a news release.
“Carolyn Evans, Executive Director since April 2023, has successfully implemented actions that have cut expenses, and she has reorganized operations and programs to improve efficiency across the agency,” the release said. “Davis House CAC leadership and the new Board of Directors is operating with strong fiscal oversight, has developed new revenue sources, and is creating a strategic financial plan to ensure the long-term health of the organization.”
The organization cooperated with the comptroller’s investigation.
“We will keep open communication with the State going forward,” Board Chairman Micah Berg said in the news release.
The comptroller’s report said the organization had a pattern of “recurring and increasing operational deficit” during the audit period.
“Between 2020 and 2023, DHCAC spent more money than it could generate from revenue sources,” the report said. “Although the DHCAC audit report for the year ending 2024 was not available, officials told investigators that in 2024, the entity experienced financial difficulties in meeting the employees’ payroll obligations and meeting the required reimbursements for travel expenses, further indicating a pattern of recurring and increasing operational deficit.”
A former director was accused of using a credit card for personal purchases in the report.
“The Comptroller’s Office did not request a corrective action plan for Davis House CAC as it was identified in the report that many of the best practices were already in place and leadership was responsive to all requests,” the organization said in the release.
Davis House helps physically and sexually abused children in Williamson County.
“An increase in reported child abuse cases this year makes our services more critical than ever,” the organization said. “Davis House is the only child advocacy center state-mandated to serve the 21st Judicial District.”
