An unauthorized signature, conflict of interest in transactions, and state code violations were found in a state auditor’s report of the City of Riverside.

Auditor of State Mary Mosiman released an agreed-upon procedures report on the city for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, Friday. The report found an unauthorized signature of former City Clerk Lory Young on a written check of $700 for a purchase of planters for the city. Mayor Allen Schneider states the signature lists Young, but was done by another employee. According to the report, another employee signed for Young while Young was out of the office on vacation.

Mosiman recommended the city consult legal counsel on that matter and on business transactions between the city and city officials and employees that were more than $2,500 and not competitively bid, seen as a possible conflict of interest. The report also showed that city committees which had a quorum of city council members were subject to the open meetings law in state code and prior notice of committee meetings was not given, and meeting minutes were not sufficient or retained, as required by Chapter 21 of State Code. Read the full procedures report in this story here.