Show Us The Money!

WHERE IS OUR MONEY?

In 2007, Jennifer Norris, Economic Development Director at the time, reported to Chief David Brooks (Interim Town Manager) that there was a $32,500 loan in question. The
“business” was on paper but did not exist. Chief Brooks directed Mrs. Norris not to discuss this with anyone. Next, Mr. Daniel Feeney, former Economic Development Director, was indicted for fraudulent use of funds on 9 April 2008. Apparently, Mr. Feeney and his attorney produced documentation which led to the Androscoggin County District Attorney dismissing the indictment on September 18, 2008. In the meantime, the case was transferred to the State Attorney General.

Since September 2008, no one is looking for the $32,500 dollars missing from the Economic Development Department. Why is that? Could it be the powers to be already know where the money went and do not want to share it with the taxpayers? Isn’t it extremely strange Chief Brooks, with all his resources, could not follow the money trail and determine where the money was? How is it possible that $32,500 dollars comes up missing and no one wants to find out where it is and who took it?

It is apparent the investigation performed by Chief Brooks was not sufficient to provide answers to these questions. How is it possible for the money to come up missing on Chief Brook’s watch as Interim Town Manager and he is the one conducting the investigation? But what is even more puzzling is why did Chief Brooks stop looking for the money? If I was the Interim Town Manager, I would not rest until the money was found. Please do not insult my intelligence by trying to tell me no one from the Town Manager (at the time) to the Town Council (at the time) or Chief Brooks has a clue to where these funds went and who took them. It is not easy to embezzle $32,500.00 right out from under the noses of everyone.

Now for the heart of the matter, why is it when Mrs. Fitzgerald and I ask the Town Council to have the State Economic Development Director perform a forensic audit of the Economic Development Department and it is always denied. A forensic audit would reveal where the $32,500 went and how it was taken. What is the Town Council so afraid will come out of a forensic audit? Keep in mind, the Economic Development Department has never had a forensic audit performed on it. Also, because there are no more state audits of the accounts under the Economic Development Department there are no checks and balances to determine whether the funds are being properly utilized. The State of Maine recommended there be an Advisory Board established to replace the audits to perform checks and balances. The Town of Lisbon has not appointed such an Advisory Board. Why is that? I believe it is the conduit for funneling monies for questionable situations. 

Larry A. Fillmore

Concerned Lisbon Citizen