The Iowa Auditor’s Office will be in the city of Jefferson to conduct a special report regarding a former employee.

At its most recent meeting, the City Council approved an engagement letter requesting the services of the State Auditor’s Office to test procedures that were done with the former utility billing clerk, Joyce Richardson, with the period ending May 31, 2025. City Administrator Scott Peterson explains the reasons why the State Auditor’s Office is getting involved.

“This is to address some concerns that had come up with a former employee. There has been some action with the former employee and this did require then that the State Auditor becomes involved. So the State Auditor is coming here to take a look at just a few things specific to this incident, but we certainly want to be a really good partner with the Auditor and really be open about everything that’s being investigated.”  

Sonya Heitshusen, public information officer for the Iowa Auditor’s Office, tells Raccoon Valley Radio that state code prohibits the Auditor’s Office from disclosing information regarding allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing while they are doing an audit or investigation, but in general the Auditor’s Office does testing to ensure the appropriateness of expenditures, the internal controls are adequate and there was compliance with laws, regulations and contractual agreements performed during the process with an entity. She adds that the Auditor’s Office regularly receives requests from governmental entities to conduct these investigations for various reasons.

Sources say that last year, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation and found that Richardson had allegedly committed theft, among other violations, while serving as the city’s utility billing clerk. Sources state that three cash deposits were missing and Richardson was the person who handled those accounts. No criminal charges have been filed at this time. 

Peterson says with the Iowa Auditor’s Office conducting its own investigation, there will be associated costs involved at the conclusion of their time with the city.