The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (GDAA) has released a report that criticizes several state agencies for failing to justify their spending and follow proper procurement procedures. The report, which was published on August 9, 2023, claims that some agencies spent millions of dollars on unnecessary or overpriced goods and services, while others did not keep adequate records of their transactions.
GDAA Finds Multiple Instances of Irregular Spending
According to the report, the GDAA audited 12 state agencies and found multiple instances of irregular spending. Some of the examples include:
- The Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) spent $2.6 million on laptops and tablets that were either not needed or not compatible with the department’s software. The GDOE also paid $1.2 million more than the market price for these devices.
- The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) spent $1.4 million on personal protective equipment (PPE) that was either defective or expired. The DPH also bought $600,000 worth of hand sanitizer that contained methanol, a toxic substance that can cause blindness or death if ingested.
- The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) spent $1.1 million on travel expenses that were either not authorized or not documented. The DHS also paid $900,000 for hotel rooms that were not used or canceled without refunds.
- The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) spent $800,000 on road signs that were either duplicated or incorrect. The GDOT also paid $700,000 for asphalt that was never delivered or used.
GDAA Recommends Better Oversight and Accountability
The GDAA report recommends that the state agencies improve their oversight and accountability for their spending. The report suggests that the agencies should:
- Establish clear policies and procedures for procurement and contracting.
- Conduct regular reviews and audits of their spending and inventory.
- Implement corrective actions and sanctions for non-compliance and fraud.
- Report any irregularities or issues to the GDAA and the Governor’s Office.
The report also urges the Governor and the General Assembly to provide more funding and resources for the GDAA to conduct more audits and investigations.
State Agencies Respond to the Report
The state agencies that were audited by the GDAA have issued statements in response to the report. Some of the agencies have acknowledged their mistakes and vowed to improve their practices, while others have disputed the findings or blamed external factors.
The GDOE said that it has taken steps to address the issues raised by the GDAA, such as returning or replacing the laptops and tablets, renegotiating the contracts, and updating its procurement system.
The DPH said that it has implemented new protocols and controls for purchasing PPE, such as verifying the quality and expiration dates of the products, and disposing of any defective or expired items.
The DHS said that it has revised its travel policies and procedures, such as requiring pre-approval and documentation for all travel expenses, and enforcing penalties for violations.
The GDOT said that it has corrected the errors in the road signs, recovered the payments for the asphalt, and enhanced its monitoring and verification processes.
