Ohio auditor questions $3.7M in state spending

COLUMBUS (AP) — A government audit of Ohio’s finances questions about $3.7 million in state spending that was not properly accounted for in 2008.

That’s a tiny part of the state’s $50 billion budget, and it’s about half of as much as the questionable spending noted in the previous audit.

State Auditor Mary Taylor, a Republican, released her report today. The questioned spending involves federal funds that lacked proper documentation, violated federal law or were determined to be unreasonable.

Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland handed over the state’s financial statement in June, after Taylor criticized the administration for a delay. Strickland said the delay stemmed from implementation of a new accounting and payroll system.

Taylor’s audit recommends strengthening the system to better monitor data.