Ohio probe finds department's fuel not tracked

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio Inspector General’s investigation has concluded that more than 14,700 gallons of fuel were not accounted for from two Ohio Department of Transportation tanks.

The tanks were both in Clinton County, in the Lebanon-based District 8 of the transportation department. The state watchdog’s office reported that some officials in the southwest Ohio district either were not aware of policies and procedures for tracking fuel, or ignored them by design.

Today's report states that taxpayers footed the bill for more than $52,000 in missing fuel.

The report recommends that the state’s transportation department review the actions of the employees involved, increase training and procedures to document fuel dispensing, and conduct spot checks more often.

An ODOT spokesman says the department is in the process of reviewing the report.