Is Any Money Safe At Luzerne County??

It is time for Luzerne County residents to publicly stage a protest over the lack of protection of money kept by the County.

The Times Leader is reporting that a state audit determined $3,288.00 is missing from the Recorder of Deeds Office.

A state audit of the Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds Office revealed $3,288 is missing from an escrow account, but attempts to locate the money have been unsuccessful, officials with the deeds office said Wednesday.

James “Red” O’Brien, who heads the office, said there is no indication that the money was stolen. He said he and his chief deputy, Mark Carey, are continuing to work with the state Auditor General’s Office, which conducted the audit, to identify how the shortage occurred.

The audit, which covers Feb. 1, 2005, to Dec. 31, 2007, blames the discrepancy on poor internal controls within the office, which was under the control of O’Brien’s predecessor, Mary Dysleski, during the period in question.

The Citizens Voice reported on an FBI probe of approximately $50,000.00 missing from the Adult Probation department.

Last month William "Bill" Sharkey pleaded guilty to embezzling $70,000.00 from illegal gambling proceeds.

It is not poor internal controls. It appears to be the lack of any internal controls. The Commissioners, Row Office Holders, and senior staff need to answer for all of the missing money and lack of controls to protect Luzerne County taxpayers.

Since the Democrats are in control here is a quote from their messiah in a language they may understand:

“The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works…Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. (Obama Inaugural Address.)