NEWS
RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For information contact: Franklin
County Auditor (509) 545-3840, auditor@co.franklin.wa.us,
www.co.franklin.wa.us/auditor
Franklin County Making Progress on Aid to Veterans
Pasco, WA, November 2, 2018 — Franklin County is making progress in providing emergency assistance to Veterans who reside in the County. This following a 2018 State Auditor’s report that identified fraud, failures by oversight and broken laws. The circumstances led to years of undeserving veterans and fraud as reported by the Tri-City Herald.
Franklin County Auditor, Matt Beaton, alerted the Washington State Auditor to the problem and an investigation ensued. “Due to the work of the County Auditor Financial staff, this program is getting cleaned up. They helped discover and prosecute fraud and reached out to counties with similar programs around the state to develop “Best Practice” options for the New Advisory Board to consider,” Beaton said. “Ending the fraud and lack of oversight in this Veterans program is particularly satisfying. Lots of people talk about helping others, the actions of these staff are leading to real improvement in services,” Beaton added. A group committed to veterans has stepped up and are serving on the new Franklin County Veteran’s Advisory Board. This Board will meet periodically and report to the Commissioners on the status of the program.
Franklin County received a management letter from the Washington State Auditor’s Office as part of an accountability audit completed in April, 2018. The Franklin County Auditor self-reported to the State Auditor that the county was out of compliance with the commissioners’ Veteran’s policy which required the commissioners establish a Veteran’s Advisory Board to assist with administering funds meant to provide emergency assistance. As a result, the commissioners are focusing on improving the program. They have now established an advisory board who is becoming active in assisting Veterans who reside in Franklin County with emergency aid including food, gas and housing.
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