Review of books appropriate
The Fayette County Commissioners hired Bruce Beard as a fiscal analyst and purchasing agent to review ways the county could pinch pennies. Now Beard, who recently resigned his post, is facing criminal allegations that he stole money by forging documents. It is important to keep in mind that the allegations center on work that Beard did independently from the county with the North Union Volunteer Fire Department and New York Pizza and Pasta. State police claim Beard admitted to writing out 14 checks totaling $6,197.37 from the pizza shop account and $2,500 from the fire department.
The question that naturally rises is should the county suspect Beard of doing the same with public accounts. There is a difference in the work that Beard performed for the county. He didn’t have control of the checkbook – that’s in the controller’s domain. That doesn’t mean the county commissioners shouldn’t be wary that some other method could be used to illegally tap into funds.
Although there is no evidence of impropriety on Beard’s part in handling county accounts, the commissioners are wise to have asked county manager Warren Hughes to review the books. The commissioners said if Hughes’ examination turns up anything suspicious they would move swiftly to call for an audit.
This is the wisest course with one addition. The commissioners should notify the public once Hughes finishes his task regardless of the results. Information that nothing untoward occurred is just as important to the public.