State Auditor’s office releases report on investigation of Cerro Gordo County Auditor’s Office

DES MOINES — The State Auditor’s Office has released their findings as part of an investigation into the Cerro Gordo County Auditor’s office for alleged illegal use of a postage meter for political purposes.

County Auditor Adam Wedmore had admitted to using a postage machine in late January to stamp 1000 pieces of campaign mail. In early February, he provided a $650 check from his election account to the auditor’s office finance director with a note stating it was for the postage cost, replacement of ink used in the postage machine, as well as any electricity used for the operation of the machine. Wedmore later admitted in an interview with law enforcement that he should not have used the machine but had always intended to reimburse the county.

State Auditor Rob Sand’s report released today details Wedmore’s use of the postage machine, as well as just over $499 of unsupported disbursements identified including postage and reimbursements to Wedmore. Sand says they were unable to determine if additional amounts were improperly disbursed because adequate supporting documentation was not available.

Sand recommended that county officials should work with the postage machine vendor to create an audit trail for items ran through the postage machine to be able to identify any postage not for the operations of the county.

He also recommends that county officials should ensure all travel and meal reimbursements properly follow the county’s policy, including established mileage rates, limits on meals and lodging, and requiring original itemized receipts for all disbursements.

You can see the full copy of Sand’s report by clicking here