Auditor General DePasquale Praises Noticeable Improvements at Berks County Recorder of Deeds Office
Latest audit reveals no findings, new procedures implemented to prior shortcomings
Auditor General DePasquale Praises Noticeable Improvements at Berks County Recorder of Deeds Office
Latest audit reveals no findings, new procedures implemented to prior shortcomings
HARRISBURG (April 3, 2014) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said today a recently completed audit of the Recorder of Deeds Office in Berks County shows commendable improvements in addressing years of issues under a previous administration which included missing records, a lack of internal controls and misappropriated funds.
The latest audit, which covered January 2008 to December 2012, includes no findings; the previous audit included five significant findings.
“The two most recent audits of the Recorder of Deeds office are like night and day,” DePasquale said. “Staff implemented recommendations in the previous audit report and went from an office filled with alarming problems to one that is now worthy of praise.
“Based on our audit, this office is no longer an embarrassment to the people of Berks County,” DePasquale said.
In the 2004-2007 report, the auditor general’s office found records were missing, financial controls were lacking and funds were misappropriated. The misappropriated funds resulted in a criminal investigation by the FBI and a subsequent indictment against the former recorder of deeds for defrauding the county of more than $150,000.
“Changes in the office’s operation will hopefully improve public confidence which was drastically lacking given the office’s shameful past. Despite the latest no-finding audit, we will continue to keep a close eye on this office.
The people of Berks County deserve as much,” DePasquale said.
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