IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The University of Iowa has fired an athletics department accountant after auditors projected that $66,000 is missing from ticket sales for a popular train that takes fans to Kinnick Stadium.  Spokesman Tom Moore tells The Associated Press that 31-year employee Kathleen Willier was fired Nov. 6 for failing to follow cash handling procedures.

The firing came after auditors found that the university failed to make deposits for two 2011 football games for ticket sales to the Hawkeye Express, which transports fans from Coralville to the stadium.  An audit report said revenue for 2011 unexpectedly dropped by $66,000 even though ridership slightly increased, and that management can’t explain why.

Willier’s husband, Charlie, said Wednesday his wife disputes that any cash was missing and believes she is a scapegoat for longstanding problems.