Audit reveals over $430,000 missing from Cherokee county tax office

Rusk -- An internal audit of Cherokee County offices and departmental accounts revealed a discrepancy of $431,375.91 related to the tax office.

“Red flags were discovered by my internal auditor in doing a routine part of the audit that initially drew our attention to this,” said Cherokee County Auditor Steven Daughety. “We did do an audit report. Those findings were turned over to the D.A. because of our concerns with it.”

The information was presented to the district attorney on January 12, 2022, according to Daughety.

District Attorney Elmer Beckworth confirmed only that the Texas Rangers were investigating the matter and that, if the missing amount is proven, the offense would be considered a felony. When questioned about the forensic auditor Daughety said was retained, Beckworth would only speak in generalities, stating the hire of a forensic auditor in such cases would be standard procedure.

Jamie Shawhart, in her first year with the county auditor’s office, had requested one document different from previous departmental audits that let to the initial discrepancy being found.

Read more: https://www.jacksonvilleprogress.com/news/audit-reveals-over-430-000-missing-from-county-tax-office/article_6199116a-02f7-11ed-8a61-47dd41c4a2de.html