Audit: Governor improperly used COVID funds for salaries

[Zorro]

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state audit report on government spending released Monday accused Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds of using nearly $450,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds to pay salaries for 21 staff members for three months last year and concealing the spending by passing it through the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

State Auditor Rob Sand said a review of the state's payroll system shows the money was used to pay the Republican governor's office staff, but it's unclear why she had to take federal money to pay the salaries.

“What is not clear, is why these salaries were not included in the governor’s budget set prior to the fiscal year and prior to the pandemic,” he said in the audit report. “Based on this information, we conclude that the budget shortfall was not a result of the pandemic.”

Sand said he had asked Reynolds' office twice for documentation to support the spending and was told the governor's staff members during March, April, May and June of 2020 were fully focused on responding to COVID-19 and protecting Iowa but never provided proof of the expenditure on the COVID response.

https://news.yahoo.com/audit-governor-improperly-used-covid-003350303.html

[Bettie]

1. Just from the title

I KNEW that this was Reynolds. Our governor is such a piece of garbage and yet, as hard as she tries, she can't break into the top three horrific Republican governors.

She's working at it though.

[Diamond_Dog]

2. What a POS.

They should be made to pay it back.

[Taylor Picker]

3. That would be a start.

I wouldn't object to a federal investigation and potential charges, given that "U.S. Treasury officials ...determined the payments were not allowed expenditures under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act."
But I don't suppose that's likely.

[LonePirate]

4. It's sad that her malfeasance or incompetence will not matter to her voters.

People will still largely vote based on party preference and not whether she is capable of doing the job, which is clearly not the case.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

5. Another law abiding GOPer

[Stuart G]

6. The key to this (in my opinion) is 1 idea: "She was sure that she could get away with it"

...She knew it was illegal, (I suppose)..but my guess is she was sure she wouldn't be found out, and could get away
with it.....Just like her hero..."Donald Trump"...is he in jail yet?...