OPA released its semi-annual Audit Recommendations Tracking Report for the period ending December 31, 2007. OPA tracked a total of 60 audit recommendations in 2007. Of the 60 audit recommendations, 11 were closed and 47 remained either open or resolved.

Delinquent Recommendations

The number of delinquent recommendations decreased by 17 (37%) from 47 in 2006 to 30 in 2007. Agencies with delinquent recommendations as of December 31, 2007 include the Department of
Finance, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Department of Public Lands, Department of Public Safety, Marianas Visitors Authority, Northern Marianas College, Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund, and the Public School System. The recommendations addressed to these agencies were classified as delinquent as OPA was not informed by these agencies within the last 180 days of any corrective action taken to implement OPA’s recommendations.

Potential Recovery of $2.6 Million Referred to the AGO

As of December 31, 2007, audit recommendations in 13 audit reports were referred to the Attorney General’s Office for legal action to recover monies improperly expended. The potential recovery based on those referrals was approximately $2.7 million. However, the closure of eight referrals reduced the total by $52,104, leaving a balance of approximately $2.6 million that is potentially recoverable.

Potential Recovery of $3.7 Million Depend on Agencies’ Action

OPA identified potential recoveries of approximately $4.6 million in 8 audit reports addressed to various agencies. Of the 4.6 million, $950,289 has been recovered, leaving a balance of approximately 3.7 million still potentially recoverable. During its semi-annual follow-up process for the period July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, OPA has not received any update on the status of recovery of funds from the responsible agencies. Therefore, approximately $3.7 million remains potentially recoverable from the previous report of June 30, 2007.

Independent Auditor’s Recommendations

OPA also includes in its Audit Recommendation Tracking Report a total of 120 recommendations from 11 recent audit reports issued by private CPA firms. OPA would like to recognize the Marianas Public Land Trust for having no reportable audit findings in its financial and compliance audit report for fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.

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Related: Audit Recommendation Tracking Reports