Forensic audit of RSU 63’s finances in progress, Holden area school official says

April 09--HOLDEN, Maine -- A forensic audit of the financial records of Regional School Unit 63 is underway, according to a school unit official. RSU 63 serves the towns of Holden, Eddington and Clifton.

A copy of the statement made by superintendent David Anderson at a school committee meeting on March 24 announcing the audit was obtained by the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday.

"The District's accountant and current business manager have recently identified certain financial transactions from previous years that they believe require additional investigation," Anderson said in the statement. "We informed our attorneys and our insurance carrier of the situation.

"At the suggestion of the District's accountant and lawyers, I am recommending that the District hire an independent accountant to conduct a forensic investigation. That process is already underway," the statement said.

School committee chair David McCluskey said on Wednesday that the audit is still ongoing. RSU 63 has a $9.38 million budget this year.

"Through our lawyers, the district has informed authorities about the facts known to date," Anderson continued in the statement. "The authorities have agreed that the District should undertake a forensic audit. The District's lawyers and the authorities have requested that the District not make any further statement at this time."

Anderson deferred questions on Monday to McCluskey, who would not say exactly when the transactions being investigated had taken place or whether there was money missing.

The district's current business manager, Kelly Theriault, officially began work on July 1, 2013, according to board meeting minutes. She replaced Yvonne Mitchell, who McCluskey said moved out of Maine and was working remotely during the end of her contract. He did not know where she moved to.

Theriault also deferred questions to McCluskey on Wednesday.

Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.

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