Ohio Inspector General finds lax ODNR/ODW credit card use

In a 16-page report issued Wednesday by the Ohio Inspector General, the state found "wrongdoing and omissions" from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources/Division of Wildlife.

Specifically, Ohio's chief investigating arm confirmed the possible misuse of a state-issued credit card by the-then Castalia Trout Fish Hatchery superintendent, David Insley.

The report says that Insley used his state-issued credit card  to buy more than $3,387 worth of propane that went to heat the former superintendent 's residence, located on the hatchery grounds.

Prior to being fired by the Natural Resources Department/Wildlife Division Insley had lived at the hatchery for 12 years.

During its investigation, the Ohio Inspector General likewise determined that Insley and his four-person staff used state-issued credit cards to tally up charges of nearly $8,500 but none to state-approved vendors.

The Ohio Inspector General's report also says "the inspector general revealed additional problems involving a lack of management review and oversight of purchases made with state-issued payment cards by employees at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources."

Accordingly, the Ohio Inspector General's report goes on to say that "a number of recommendations were offered with a request for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to respond to the inspector general within 60 days.

"In consideration of the problems revealed, the inspector general also asked the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to reconsider the need to provide state-issued payment cards to nearly two out of every three of the department’s estimated 1,850 full- and part-time employees."

Responding to the report, Natural Resources Department spokesman Matt Eiselstein said the agency "...cooperated throughout the investigation of former employee David Insley."

"We also conducted an internal investigation which led to his termination in June,". Eiselstein said.

 "(Wednesday) we received the final investigation report from the Ohio Inspector General. The ODNR now has 60 days to review the report and the recommendations made by the Inspector General," Eieselstein said. 

"We are beginning the review process and will respond once our review of the investigation and recommendations is complete."

The complete Ohio Inspector General Report of Investigation's file number on the case is 2011-178 is now available at: http://watchdog.ohio.gov/Investigations/2012Investigations.aspx

 

This story may be updated.

 

Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @Fieldkorn