Auditor finds for recovery

Gustavus trustees 'booted out' the group that provided fire protection.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GUSTAVUS -- The state auditor's office has issued a finding for recovery of nearly $7,000 against the former treasurer of the defunct Gustavus Volunteer Firefighters' Association.
The $6,955 was levied against Tangi Day-Kopp after a special audit of the association's finances from Jan. 1, 2002, through June 30, 2004.
The association was a nonprofit group that contracted with the township trustees to provide fire protection.
Township Trustee Robert S. Phillips said Thursday that after discrepancies came to light, the township refused to continue its contract with the association and the township took over firefighting responsibilities.
"We halfway booted them out," the trustee said.
Three findings
The largest of three findings is for $5,794.
According to the audit released Thursday, Day-Kopp did not deposit this amount into the association's bank account. Much of the money was from firefighters' fund-raising events.
Also, according to the audit requested by the county prosecutor's office, the association purchased 20 jackets for the volunteers from Western Reserve Computer Stitch, Cortland. The total cost was $1,526.
Association records showed that Day-Kopp paid $1,800 for the jackets. The company received its $1,526, and the former treasurer is responsible for the difference of $274.
The third finding is for $887. The audit found that Day-Kopp issued a check for $1,000 to pay for used fire equipment. Of that amount, there were receipts for $113 for the purchases, and the balance, or $887, could not be accounted for by the township or association.
Day-Kopp could not be reached to comment.
No restitution
Phillips said Day-Kopp has not made restitution for the money, noting trustees will have to discuss with the prosecutor how to recoup it.
He said the irregularities were first noticed by township Clerk Laura Hall and were taken to the sheriff's department and then to the prosecutor.
The association was funded by revenue from a 2.8-mill levy and fund-raising events.
Township voters overwhelmingly renewed the levy in the Nov. 8 general election. Phillips said there aren't many fund-raisers now.
yovich@vindy.com