http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-audit6feb05,0,958931.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
By Stephen P. Clark
Staff Writer
February 5, 2007
STAMFORD - The chairman of the Board of Finance Audit Committee on Friday said he plans to intensify his effort to inspect city government, after the launch of a criminal investigation last month into possible fraud and embezzlement at the Glenbrook Fire Department.
"You'll see more activity this year than last year," said Tim Abbazia, chairman of the Audit Committee.
Among other things, he plans to evaluate the four city pension boards and their accounts, examine the city's adherence to the finance board's fiscal policies and seek more transparency from the government so residents can better understand how their tax dollars are spent.
"I'd like to do more audits that look to improve city efficiency," said Abbazia, a Democrat.
Abbazia's agenda comes as other finance board members have become more demanding. For instance, Democrat John Louizos, the newest member elected in 2005, last month held two meetings of the Legal Affairs and Personnel Committee - the first in several years. Another Democratic board member, Michael Pollard, chairman of the Operations Committee, has led the charge for more detailed information from city officials requesting appropriations.
"I think they're finally waking up," Republican Joseph Tarzia, the other Audit Committee member, said of the Democrats. "They realize they're looking pretty stupid. This is a good year for them to cover up their mistakes because right now you've got an irate public that's looking for justice."
Abbazia said that has nothing to do with the board's actions.
"I think that the board has demanded accountability for a number of years now," said Abbazia, a board member since 2000. "I think what's happening is some things have come to our attention that we feel needs more scrutiny."
Last year, a reduced staff at the Office of Policy and Management caused the audit committee to cut back on its surprise audits, Abbazia said. But with the staff back at full strength, the committee can again spring surprise audits almost bimonthly, he said. He wouldn't say which departments are in the line of fire.
Tarzia said the office of operations, which covers engineering, recreation, land use, public works, sewage treatment and other departments, "needs some major overhaul." Fleet management is a "disaster," Tarzia said.
"They have an inventory that rivals General Motors," he quipped.
He blasted the Water Pollution Control Authority for the high bills it charges homeowners.
Surprise audits have shown city departments are well managed, Abbazia said. Volunteer fire departments are separate nonprofit organizations but they receive city money each year. Glenbrook receives $1.1 million.
Despite last year's decline in audits, city officials targeted Glenbrook after an anonymous phone call tipped them to accounting irregularities. An audit revealed the former treasurer repeatedly wrote himself checks and used firehouse funds to buy office supplies and electronics, which he had shipped to his private home and office. Over several years, David Judge paid himself $12,600 in stipends to which he was not entitled, according to the audit.
In December, Tarzia appealed to the chief state's attorney and the state attorney general for an investigation. The state's attorney forwarded the case to Stamford police last month after concluding the case did not meet its standards, said Capt. Richard Conklin, who oversees the detective bureau. The investigation, which still involves the state attorney general, is expected to be completed this month, Conklin said.
The four other volunteer fire companies, Belltown, Long Ridge, Springdale and Turn of River, are being audited by O'Connor, Davies, Munns & Dobbins LLP, the same White Plains, N.Y., firm the city hired to audit the Glenbrook Fire Department.
If any red flags appear, there will be an investigation, Abbazia said.
The Board of Finance meets at 7 p.m. Thursday on the fourth floor of the Stamford Government Center. Members are scheduled to vote on the construction of an inline skating arena in Scalzi Park and a $725,000 appropriation to pay for overtime in the fire department.
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