Several employees of the Warren County EMS-Rescue Service received wages totaling $23,834.40 for time worked at another job or time that was undocumented, an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s office revealed.
In a news release Tuesday, the Comptroller’s office said investigators found that two employees received a total of $3,514.60 in wages from WCEMS for hours worked for another entity unassociated with the county. When investigators compared the timesheets for both entities, they found that 256 hours overlapped.
Investigators also found that 12 employees received a total of $20,319.80 in wages from WCEMS for hours that had no supporting documentation. The release said that as a result, investigators have made several recommendations to improve accuracy and oversight of record-keeping. It said that Warren County leaders have indicated that they’re implementing a time clock system that records an employee’s thumbprint at WCEMS. The investigators also expressed concerns over calculation and documentation of vacation time, sick time and compensatory leave.
The release said all of the findings and recommendations have been reviewed with the district attorney general.
“Many of the problems noted in this report could have been avoided with improved oversight and better record-keeping,” Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said in the release. “I am pleased to see the county is taking steps to shore up weaknesses and stress the importance of accurate timesheets.”