(Des Moines, IA) -- An audit has uncovered more than $60-thousand in improper spending at a state-run facility in Cherokee. The audit states former secretary Renae Rapp altered her husband's key fob to boost his pay, giving him credit for hours he did not work. The audit found Rapp electronically deposited money into a joint-bank account.
Rapp worked at the Civil Commitment Unit for Sexual Offenders between August of 2019 and February of 2021. The unit is run by the Iowa Division of Mental Health and Disability within the Iowa Department of Human Services, and is at the campus of the Cherokee Mental Health Institute.
The investigation identified $61,610.66 of improper disbursements including more than $52,000 of gross wages paid to Rapp's husband and nearly $9,000 of related payroll costs.
State Auditor Rob Sand is recommending CCUSO officials put procedures in place to ensure information recorded in the time keeping system is verified and accurate and adjustments to it are properly monitored.