WSMV Channel 4 Report finds deficiencies in Metro County Clerk's office

Report finds deficiencies in Metro County Clerk's office

The Tennessee Comptroller's Officer found 11 deficiencies in the Davidson County Clerk's office in a report released Wednesday.

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READ THE FULL AUDIT REPORT

The report found problems with the office, headed by John Arriola, after the district attorney's office asked for an investigation after reports of Arriola requiring a fee to be paid for performing marriage ceremonies. His office issues marriage licenses for the county.

In a statement, Arriola confirmed that his office has received the report.

"We just received the audit from the State Comptroller and have not had an opportunity to review it, but will make a comment at the appropriate time."

The findings from the investigation:

* The county clerk required employees in the marriage department to collect fees for the performance of marriage ceremonies.

* The office improperly shifted a disbursement from the General Fund budgetary accounts to the clerk's fee and commission account.

*The office did not report and disburse computer fees to the county trustee on a regular basis.

*The office had deficiencies in the administration of payroll.

*The county clerk did not require documentation or verification of time worked for a part-time outreach coordinator.

* A part-time employee received benefits available to full-time staff.

* The county clerk violated metropolitan government procurement policies.

* The economic benefit derived from the use of a metropolitan government provided vehicle was not calculated and reported on federal Form W-2.

*The clerk's management staff promoted various campaign activities in the clerk's office during business hours.

* Receipts were not always issued at the time of collection, copies were not maintained, and official receipts were not always used.

* The county clerk's office has weaknesses in internal controls over collections.

The report was forwarded to District Attorney Torry Johnson's office for review.

"Because this is still an on-going investigation, we can't speak to any specifics at this stage," Johnson said in a press release. "Our office is reviewing the information gathered by both the TBI and the State Comptroller's office to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant action by our office."

The DA will decide if there would be criminal charges filed.

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