Rules governing credit cards issued to Anne Arundel County employees were laxly enforced until a county warehouse supervisor was accused in summer of misusing his card, but the Owens administration has tightened controls to prevent abuses, a new audit says.
"They've already implemented most of what we recommended," said County Auditor Teresa Sutherland, who reports to the County Council and reviewed 19 months of records.
Her review found that departments routinely failed to make sure the Office of Finance got receipts and other paperwork, and that the Office of Finance - which paid the bills - did not demand the paperwork. One result: Some employees were able to exceed their spending limits.
But aside from the allegations against the former warehouse supervisor, the audit found only one example of an employee making unauthorized personal charges - for $164.10, which was repaid. At present, 540 employees have cards, considered a more efficient way to buy supplies than traditional paper-laden purchase orders.
The audit mirrors the findings of a team formed by County Executive Janet S. Owens after Christopher Lee Middleton, the former warehouse supervisor, was charged with felony theft. Police and prosecutors have alleged he stole between $20,000 and $40,000 through credit card purchases over several months. His trial is scheduled for Feb. 8.
County officials say the new safeguards, recommended by the team and hailed by Sutherland, have borne fruit since they began in September. That month, 16 cards were suspended because employee cardholders did not supply key paperwork. Last month, only one card was suspended, and that employee soon offered the needed documentation.
"It shows people are listening to the instructions we laid out in the program and are following the procedures accurately," said Lee Carprinolo, assistant purchasing director.
Under the new policy, each department designates someone to ensure that cardholders prepare a purchase log that agrees with their monthly credit card statement and attach receipts.
Also, a failure to supply paperwork will result in a card's suspension. If documentation is not turned in later that month, the card will be canceled.
In addition, cards not used for 12 months will be canceled, and employees who want to exceed their credit limit must make a written request signed by their department head.
