Collingdale Borough Council put out a bid for a forensic audit after an auditor found 2022 tax collection revenue off by 13%. The $330,000 discrepancy was brought to the attention of Council President Ryan Hastings by the borough’s auditor, George Fieo. “[Fieo] said he’s never seen a gap like this,” said Collingdale’s new solicitor, Peter Amuso. The borough tax collector, Diane Hunter, confirmed she was in contact with Fieo, but she disagreed with a statement made by Amuso that she had not provided the auditor with the documents he requested. Another financial issue council addressed was a concern by Finance Committee Chair Keisha Williams regarding a paycheck of $7,600 to the former manager, double his salary in December, and then another in January over $16,000. Williams noted that was a huge check for 10 days of work to someone who had only been employed at the borough for three months. Williams asked the solicitor if the borough could recover the money, and he responded that the borough could sue the former manager civilly.
Source: Daily Times; 3/8/2024