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Authorities: No charges to be filed in Pacific Junction following money snafu

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April 19th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Mills County Sheriff Eugene Goos says no criminal charges will be filed against the former city clerk or the city maintenance supervisor in Pacific Junction, in the wake of a special investigation report by the Iowa state auditor. Goos told the Omaha World- he’s received no criminal complaint from the Mills County Attorney’s Office with regard to Kari Williams, the city clerk who has since resigned after it was discovered that the city owed the IRS more than $73,000. The State Auditor’s Office said almost $32,000 was spent in improper disbursements due to lack of oversight.

State Auditor Mary Mosiman said Williams received pay through public funds for work she did not do by submitting her hours on her time sheet by hand instead of using a clock-in system. The lack of oversight in 2013 led to a $65,000 shortfall in funding the Pacific Junction Fire and Rescue Department. The city had to use local-option sales tax revenue and other general operating funds to sustain the Fire Department.

The city is working with the IRS to resolve the problem, according to Mosiman. Eric Hansen, an attorney with Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann, which represents the city, said city employees didn’t follow procedures as closely as they should have been doing, and that the State recommends better oversight and procedural changes by the City, but the report didn’t infer any criminal activity had occurred.