Des Moines, IA – State Auditor Rob Sand, Friday, issued a response to the Iowa Judicial Branch’s statement explaining how errors in the collection and distribution of court debt occurred and the steps being taken to rectify the problem.

“The Judicial Branch should be commended for its transparency and bringing forward plans to resolve problems with the coding used to distribute court debt.  They have clearly stated how this process has unfolded this far – something the Auditor’s Office is statutorily prohibited from doing,” Sand said. He added, “This problem is not entirely of the Judiciary’s own making but partially due to legislators demanding very quick changes, and rather than mischaracterize facts, legislators should work to reallocate the money as only legislators can do.”

State Auditor Rob Sand

Chapter 11.42 of the Code of Iowa requires the Auditor’s Office to maintain confidential all information received during the course of an audit or examination, including allegations of misconduct or noncompliance, until a report is issued.