(JOHNSTON, Iowa) A state audit of the City of Johnston's books, has found more than $13,600 in collections which were not properly deposited as well as improper disbursements, over a two-year period. The was prompted by concerns about former accounting clerk, Teresa Osburne, who was suspended last July, and was later fired.
State auditors found cash collections recorded in the City’s accounting system exceeded the cash collections deposited to the City’s bank account. That included more than $10,000 in fines and fees for the Johnston Library, more than $2,100 in proceeds from the Farmer's Market, and fees for senior citizen bus trips sponsored by the Johnston Parks department were not deposited.
Investigators also found improper disbursements and purchases from Amazon for personal items, which were not appropriate for city operations.
The report has been turned over to the Johnston Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Polk County Attorney's Office and the Iowa Attorney General's Office.