Columbus — The fiscal officer for the Lawrence County Department Job and Family Services (LCDJFS) was overpaid $11,659 for undocumented overtime work, according to the county’s 2012 audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“No one should be able to prepare and approve the same timesheet – that’s basic checks and balances,” Auditor Yost said. “Lawrence County taxpayers paid time and a half…for what? There’s not a shred of documentation to prove that any work was done.”

From April 2011 through July 2012, then DJFS director Gene Myers prepared, authorized and approved time sheets to pay fiscal officer Brad Carpenter for fiscal services he allegedly performed outside normal working hours.

Myers said he paid Carpenter the extra money because he felt Carpenter should be fairly compensated for work completed at home. However, Carpenter never documented any work outside of his normal hours, and he said he was unaware that Myers prepared and approved the time sheets.

Additionally, Carpenter said he thought his increased payments were due to a pay raise. The increased payments stopped in July 2012 when Myers went on vacation and Carpenter became aware of the overtime requests submitted by Myers.

A finding for recovery in the amount of $11,659 was issued against Carpenter. Myers repaid the full amount on July 28, 2015.

A full copy of this audit may be accessed online. The county’s 2013 audit also was released today.