Forensic audit: Martinsville ex-city supervisor used taxpayer funds for lavish journey, meals

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Martinsville’s authorities is going through renewed scrutiny after a forensic audit discovered the previous metropolis supervisor used taxpayer cash on what auditors described as lavish accommodations, dinners and transportation — together with high-dollar meals and resort stays that lacked clear justification.

The audit by Brown Edwards reviewed 307 purchases made by former metropolis supervisor Aretha Ferrell Benavides utilizing town’s buying card. Auditors discovered 22 % of these purchases had no evaluate by anybody apart from Benavides.

Among the bills cited have been a lunch costing greater than $100 at Fontaine Blue in Las Vegas and resort stays on the Marquie Mariott in D.C. for over $2,000, with no legitimate clarification for why the cash was spent.

The findings have fueled questions on how the spending went unchecked. Councilman Aaron Rawls mentioned the issue was not a scarcity of warning indicators, however a scarcity of accountability.

“There’s horrible human beings as council members. Do you remember I got thrown out of a city council meeting for trying to raise these issues?” Rawls mentioned.

Rawls additionally mentioned he heard issues from metropolis employees about pricey journey.

“I was hearing from staff about all these 10 thousand, 15-thousand-dollar trips where we’re taking friends and spouses and stuff,” Rawls mentioned.

RELATED: Martinsville case, removing petition involving mayor has a brand new particular prosecutor

Rawls claimed Councilwoman Kathy Lawson knew about Benavides’ spending. Lawson denied that.

“No, that is not correct. I can’t speak for the mayor, and I won’t speak for the mayor. There were trips made that I didn’t know about until after the fact,” Lawson mentioned.

The audit additionally discovered Benavides didn’t get any journey accredited till April of final yr, which the audit mentioned violated metropolis code.

Current City Manager Rob Fincher mentioned safeguards are actually in place to stop related spending from taking place once more.