Richmond County may try to recoup money paid for questionable expenses

Richmond County may try to recoup some of the money itpaid for questionable travel and expense claimsracked up by theformer CAO and some elected officials.

"What we're going to do iswait until all the reports come in, the final copy of the ombudsman's report and the RCMPinvestigation, and then we will make a decision based on that information," said Brian Marchand, the county's new warden.

Reports by the province's ombudsman and a forensic account hired by the county found a litany of problems, including expense claims paid without proper documentation or receipts.

The audit also found double dipping, with meal claims paid twice through expense claims and per diems.

Ineligible claims included two nights at strip clubs charged to the municipal credit card of former CAO Warren Olsenand tickets for aLiberal Party fundraiser expensed by some councillors.

Marchand said councillorswho expensed tickets to the fundraiser have already repaidor are repaying money they claimed.

The RCMP sayits investigation into Richmond County spending is ongoing.

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