After investigating a Minnesota district’s financial records, the county’s attorney has declined to file criminal charges but still rebuked officials’ mismanagement.
“(Olmsted) County Attorney Michael Walters called the district’s previous spending habits ‘concerning’ but said there is insufficient evidence that district employees stole or embezzled (Byron Public Schools) funds,” Gray Media’s KTTC.com reported.
As previously reported by The Lion, the Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha confirmed last year that the district lacked proper supporting documentation for almost $60,000 in purchases and more than $4,000 in gift cards.
“We don’t have an indication that it was fraudulent; however, this is a big risk,” she said at the time. “This is how fraud can happen.”
The district’s new superintendent, Nate Walbruch, announced efforts to improve documentation practices following the audit – such as replacing all credit cards with purchase cards.
