CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) — A new report by the Iowa state auditor has raised questions about nepotism, improper payments and undeposited collections regarding the Appanoose County Conservation Department and its fundraising arm, the Appanoose County Conservation Foundation. State Auditor Mary Mosiman says in the special report released Tuesday that the lines between operations of the Appanoose County Conservation Department and the fundraising foundation are improperly blurred.

The department is responsible for the oversight of the county’s natural resources, such as parks and campgrounds. The foundation was created in 1994 to solicit gifts for the department’s conservation projects.
Much of the report focused on the actions of Mark Hoffman, who was fired as the department’s director in 2016 amid questions of improper payments and actions. He continues to play a significant role in the foundation’s operations.

The report found more than $74,000 in undeposited collections and improper payments, such as nearly $18,000 to Hoffman by the foundation for unused leave, which is contrary to county policy. The report says the undeposited collections include rent of properties to members of Hoffman’s family. The report also questioned the transfer in 2013 of several parcels of county land to the foundation, free of charge, which were then sold for $280,000.