State audit finds questionable spending at Atlanta Regional Commission

The Atlanta Regional Commission engaged in sloppy spending practices, poor financial record keeping and the misuse of purchasing cards, according to the findings of a new state audit.

The powerful planning agency, which helps shape the present and future of communities across the metro Atlanta area, may have improperly spent thousands of taxpayer dollars.

The expenses of ARC Executive Director Doug Hooker, which included thousands of dollars spent on food, alcohol and other personal items, garnered particular scrutiny — and Georgia’s attorney general is now reviewing the audit.

“Collectively, the pattern of questionable purchases, reimbursements, and policy violations raises concern regarding proper stewardship of public funds,” Greg S. Griffin of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts wrote in his report, which was submitted in December. “In addition, these transactions may have violated the State of Georgia’s purchasing card law … Due to the number of purchasing card policy violations, we have referred the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for further review.”

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