News

September 4, 2010

Griffith, accountant divide over data errors

By Matt Hughes mhughes@timesleader.com
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Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith said Friday that he was never informed of inaccuracies and deficiencies in information that could delay completion of the county’s 2009 audit, but an accountant working to collect information in preparation for the audit said Saturday that Griffith’s staff was aware of the problem.

In an e-mail sent to Griffith Saturday morning, a copy of which was received by The Times Leader, accountant Melanie Walsh, whose firm is collecting information from Griffith’s office in preparation for the county’s 2009 audit, said she and other members of her firm have made numerous attempts to obtain information from controller’s office employees.

Griffith wrote to county Commissioner Maryann Petrilla Friday that he was “not aware of one phone call, email or request from any Auditor or Department with regard to the issues that you have stated that have delayed this audit.”

Walsh, a manager for accounting firm Jones Kohanski & Co. LLP, wrote that she told Griffith “exactly what we needed from the controller’s office” in April, and that members of her firm have spoken with Griffith’s employees “about the fact that there is significant error in the information that was provided to us.”

“Please do not place the blame on us, as we have made every attempt  with your office to obtain the information,” Walsh wrote.
Jones Kohanski & Co. is compiling information in preparation for the county’s audit, which will be conducted by a different firm.

Walsh said Petrilla was referring to a meeting she had with the commissioner when Petrilla wrote to Griffith Thursday that she was extremely disappointed to learn that the county’s audit would not be completed by the Sept. 30 deadline. That statement prompted Griffith’s response Friday.

Griffith maintained that his staff did not report any problems with the audit to him, and questioned why Walsh did not contact him directly before seeking help from Petrilla.

“That’s what we pay them for,” Griffith said. “They get paid to do the audits and if they’re not getting the information they need they should call and ask the controller.”

Griffith said that, prior to last week, he had neither spoken to nor corresponded with Walsh since first meeting her in April.

Griffith also said he sent out requests for information to county department heads June 8, and that some of the information requested has not yet been returned.

“As commissioner, shouldn’t she come down on these department heads and say, hey, why aren’t you responding,” Griffith said in reference to Petrilla.

Griffith said he spoke with Walsh Saturday and plans to meet with her next week.

“She’ll have the information,” Griffith said. “As long as she tells me what she needs, I’ll get it for her.”

“I spoke to Walter today and we straightened everything out,” Walsh said Saturday. “We want to get the job done, and stay out of politics.”

 

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