Yuma County improving protecting public funds
Madeline Murray
YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County is currently working to prevent fraud cases like the one in Santa Cruz County, where the former treasurer stole more than $38 million.
After the case in Santa Cruz County, Yuma County conducted a fraud assessment that that showed no weaknesses in the system, but did suggest some improvements.
Ian Mcgaughey says, “[It] did not reveal any alarming weaknesses, but did identify several areas where we can tighten up our processes. Those recommendations have been shared with the appropriate departments and offices, and follow up in underway.”
Those improvements include implementing a new law that gives the state auditor access to all county bank records.
State auditors will be able to review policies and procedures, improve staff training, and oversee every federal dollar spent.
Yuma County Vice Chairman Jonathan Lines says the county takes protecting public funds very seriously.
“Being involved in public service we want to make sure that the public has faith in the system and the officials that have been elected to operate on a city, county, or state level,” says Lines.
With the improvements being implemented, one financial services department employee identified a fraud attempt by email.
Lines describes a time a where a finacial services employee caught an attempt at fraud through their email.
“A biweekly check from one of the county employees to be deposited into that account, and the person processing who received that email, went back and traced it, and determined it was somebody trying to scam the system,” says Lines.
Lines stays it’s necessary to look for anything suspicious.
“Be aware of anything out of the ordinary such as an email asking somebody to open up a new account and deposit it,” explains Lines.
The Financial Services Department would like to remind everyone that fraud prevention is a countywide effort and to always be alert.