SALEM SCHOOLS Audit to be released Tuesday

The audit is considered a key factor in the ongoing criminal investigation.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- After months of investigation, the state auditor will release Tuesday an audit scrutinizing alleged wrongdoing in the treasurer's office of Salem City Schools.
Eric Hardgrove, a spokesman for state Auditor Betty Montgomery, would not share any details of the examination in announcing its release Friday.
Auditors were expected to include in their probe the March 2002 purchase of $781 in office equipment -- a chair and mats delivered to the Poland home of then-treasurer Ted Cougras.
Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron also has been investigating the purchase and has said the auditor's report is a key element of the criminal probe.
Herron, who was unavailable Friday, has said about six people have been called to testify before a grand jury.
Herron has said he expects to seek the indictment of at least one person.
"We're relieved," Superintendent David Brobeck said of the audit's impending release.
Given chance to respond
Brobeck and other school officials were briefed late last month by auditors and were given a chance then to respond to the findings.
Brobeck said Friday the report should "shed more light" on what occurred in the treasurer's office and he's hopeful the report will be a big step toward resolving the months-long investigation.
Prosecutors began investigating the treasurer's office Dec. 13 after learning from district officials about the office equipment purchase.
Cougras suddenly resigned Dec. 16 from his $72,237-a-year job.
He has not been charged with any crime.
State auditors began scrutinizing the office several weeks later.
In early January, Brobeck suspended assistant treasurer Annette Howard with pay and without giving a reason.
She has said she did nothing wrong, and Herron has said he has questioned her and has no plans to charge her.
The school district hired a new treasurer in March.
leigh@vindy.com