In its finding, the Comptroller’s Office indicated former DTF director Mike Hall “should reimburse the DTF $311 for the duplicate travel advances and an amount to be determined for credit card charges.”
The report noted Hall received “six travel advances totaling $311; however, the director also incurred DTF credit card charges totaling $698.42 for meals and incidentals covered by these same travel advances. It should be noted that credit card charges included meals for other persons; however, based on the documentation provided, we could not identify the specific meals and incidentals incurred by the director.”
Bebb said, “At this point, Mike Hall needs to repay DTF $311 according to the audit.”
Bebb said today the discrepancies could lie in lost receipts or poor documentation of travel expenses when Hall and other DTF member would attend seminars, classes or other programs.
“I have asked for a special prosecutor to look at this. I made the request approximately two months ago,” Bebb said.
Bebb also added the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference has since assigned a special prosecutor to look into the audit; however, a judge has not signed paperwork at this time.
The report from the Comptroller’s Office indicated a total of $53,917,62 in credit card transactions. The report noted 215 credit card transactions totaling $17,196.25 did not contain adequate documentation. Authorities “were unable to determine if these expenditures (meals, travel, lodging) were directly related to investigations and appropriate uses of DTF funds.”
“I haven’t seen any criminal activity after reviewing this, but I want someone else to look at it and (have) recused myself,” Bebb said.
Bebb said he doesn’t micro-manage the 10th Judicial DTF which is under his and a board of directors’ guidance.
“Mike Hall did some great things as director. He bridged gaps,” Bebb said.
Hall left the DTF In August 2010, to work with a church in Florida.
Current director Steve Lawson has since cut back on a number of travel and purchase expenses, according to Bebb.
“He has taken the fiscal part of the DTF and has good oversight on all expenditures for purchasing and travel,” Bebb said.
Hall is currently working for the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan.
“This is the first I have heard of the discrepancy,” Hall said this morning after being contacted by the Cleveland Daily Banner. “We had a $2 million budget with hundreds of transactions. If there are missing receipts, it would be an honest misplacement. If the state feels I need to reimburse the task force for the misplaced receipts, then I will assume the responsibility as the director.”
Three other DTF districts also had issues, according to the Comptroller’s report.
The board of directors for the 12th District “didn’t assume sufficient oversight responsibility. The 13th District failed to file quarterly reports in a timely manner and the 18th District audit revealed confidential funds were used for nonconfidential purposes,” according to the report.
Bradley, Polk, McMinn and Monroe counties make up the 10th Judicial District and their city counterparts.
