The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Raider's Of Lisbon's Money Till

RAIDING THE TOWN TILL

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting published an excellent article on corruption in small town's and their financial departments. It is too bad these people did not come to Lisbon and investigate the Economic Community Development Department.

The town of Lisbon just completed another annual audit and passed with flying colors. But according to the article a Mr. John S. Eldridge III, Brunswick’s finance director, said, “I can’t speak to individual situations, but a lot of things happen when you trust people. Fraud is committed by people we trust.” He continued on to say, the annual audit shouldn’t be the only means for looking for fraud. The purpose of an audit is to render an opinion on whether the financials have been fairly stated.” In other words, an audit won’t necessarily find a problem if someone has made an effort to hide them. An audit is only as good as the financial statements presented to the auditor, said accountant Ron H.R. Smith, who is a certified fraud examiner. Remember Figures Lie and Liars Figure?

I personally believe Brooks, Bowie and Eldridge are trying to bury mistakes made in the past. It is like the $32,500 dollars issued to the Atlantic Commercial Cleaners. No matter how hard Brooks investigated this case he could not gather enough information to prosecute anyone for the misappropriations of these funds. I believe the real reason is because if this case went to court the truth would come out implementing some key personnel in the town of Lisbon at the time. Isn’t it strange there has been no reported action, in the past several months, since Eldridge announced the town was going to file a civil lawsuit to collect the funds? I do not believe this will ever see the inside of a court room.

Wouldn’t it be outstanding if the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting was to investigate the Economic Community Development Department for the past 10 years? There is a possibility the town of Lisbon could recoup the missing $32,500.00.

Plus who knows what else they just might end up uncovering for Illegal Actions.

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen