ROSELAND — The former Roseland town treasurer is on the state's radar after it discovered some inconsistency in an audit of the town's expenses.
That treasurer, Susan Hammons, resigned last week.
In the state’s examination report, it said Roseland did not properly maintain its accounting records.
And that job was Susan Hammon's responsibility.
From misplacing receipts to inaccurate reimbursement reports, the audit report is raising some questions.
"We received a resignation from Susan Hammons," said Roseland town attorney Peter Agostino.
A sudden resignation after the state released the results of the audit of Roseland's town finances.
The report is raising eyebrows. Did Hammons cheat her town out of money?
"I think it’s way too early to tell. That’s what we’re looking into, but its seems most of the errors were honest mistakes," Agostino said.
Agostino paged through the 20-piece state audit with WSBT.
"There were some issues with expenses, and those are being investigated," he said.
The report said, "In some instances the clerk-treasurer was reimbursed to conferences that exceeded the reasonable mileage from the town of Roseland to the conference site."
Hammons was reimbursed for 89 miles more than what she should have driven. But Agostino said a detour or wrong directions may have caused the extra mileage.
WSBT called and stopped by Hammon's house to get her side of the story, but we didn't hear from her.
With Hammon's abrupt resignation we questioned Agostino, does he see signs of embezzlement or fraud in the report?
"No I wouldn't put in that type of category, there may have been expenses reimbursed in excess of what was authorized or lack of documentation," Agostino said.
He said it’s too early to point fingers.
Right now possible legal action against Hammons is in limbo.
"In these types of cases that’s always a possibility," Agostino said.
Susan Hammons is cooperating with the town and the state in their investigation. Agostino said Hammon's expenses are being investigated by both the state and Michael Eby, the Roseland deputy clerk-treasurer who is temporarily sitting in Hammon's place until Roseland finds a new clerk.
The report also shows Hammon misplaced funds into the wrong accounts. Right now the attorney said it’s too early to tell if it was a mistake or on purpose. The report shows no money is missing, but there are expenses that were not calculated into the budget and some that are missing receipts.
Deputy clerk treasurer Michael Eby said he should have an update on the investigation at the town’s next meeting in October.
