Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson
Freeman-Wilson hosts 2 forums to explain missing EMS funds
Contributed By:The 411 News
Financial analysis accounts for all but $131,850
Not waiting on the state auditor to untangle the spending of city funds, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson is bringing the issue to the public in two forums, the first one this week.
The brouhaha arose in late April when Councilwoman LaVetta Sparks-Wade reported $4-plus million dollars were not accounted for in a fund dedicated to emergency ambulance services and firefighting. The mayor promised a financial audit would backup her claim that nothing illegal happened and any funds used went for city salaries and operations.
In her defense, the mayor said she knew nothing about the transfer of funds from the restricted account. She fired the city’s new controller and suspended a consulting contract with the previous city controller, who had served in the post since the mayor took office in 2012 and retired in February 2018.
The mayor recently released the financial report from Whittaker & Company that tracked transactions to and from Fund 224, for emergency services and firefighting, between January 1, 2015 and March 31, 2018.
According to Mayor Freeman-Wilson, “Transfers totaling $8,160,403.37 from Fund 224 were made between January 1, 2015 and March 31, 2018 to unrestricted city accounts. While the funds were entered into other accounts, the report stated that the transfers were made to pay legitimate city expenses. The report also showed… of the $8,160,403.37 transferred, $131,850.49 was not fully identified during the account analysis.”
Mayor Freeman-Wilson will host “Let’s Discuss The EMS 224 Account” on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The Mayor will discuss Fund 224, the final account analysis and the city’s overall finances during a Town Hall FACEBOOK LIVE Broadcast (@TeamGaryIndiana).
The mayor will also host an in-person Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at the Art House: A Social Kitchen, 411 E. 5th Avenue, Gary at 6:30 p.m. The mayor will discuss the 224 Fund, the account analysis and the city’s finances. The public is invited.
Story Posted:08/28/2018
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