|
Independent Auditor Finds "Severe breakdown" In Guinta's Administration Made Theft Possible
Guinta Administrator Allegedly Embezzled $23,000,
Frank Guinta Owes Voters an Explanation
MANCHESTER - An independent auditor says a "severe breakdown" in oversight, including from Mayor Frank Guinta's office, made it possible for a former member of Guinta's administration to allegedly steal $23,000.
Guinta has remained quiet about how Manchester's former grants administrator and AmeriCorps-VISTA coordinator, Dennis Hebert, could have stolen nearly $23,000 from the government under city hall's watch. Now, with a recent independent audit, charging a "severe breakdown" in oversight by the Mayor's Office, Manchester residents are owed an explanation from Guinta about the theft.
"Frank Guinta has refused to take responsibility for allowing a member of his administration to steal $23,000 from taxpayers, provide an explanation on how he allowed the thefts to happen, or say what he is going to do to make sure these types of thefts never happen again," said Chris Pappas, chair of the Manchester City Democrats.
"The audit says a 'severe breakdown' in oversight is what allowed Hebert to steal the money," Pappas said. "Frank Guinta says he will support the auditor's recommendations. He should start by giving the public some answers: Why did his office allow checks to be processed, even after other officials raised concerns? Why wasn't his office monitoring Dennis Hebert? When did he know about the thefts? What checks and balances are in place to avoid further fraud? The people of Manchester deserve some answers from Frank Guinta."
Dennis Hebert, former city grants administrator and AmeriCorps-VISTA project coordinator, was arrested in October 2007 on two counts of forgery after he allegedly cashed thousands of dollars in forged paychecks and billed the government for work that was never done. The recent audit found $22,824 in fraudulent payments between October 2006 and October 2007.
|
