By JIM BUTLER

Two months after its auditor’s startling assertions Pineville’s audit report for the year ending last June 30 is not yet public record.

Those attending January’s City Council meeting were shocked by CPA Stephen McKay’s findings of alleged major compliance issues.

McKay’s report, an annual finding review, is public record. The audit report per se is not until reviewed by the Legislative Auditor’s Office and posted on its web site.

The length of time involved in this instance is not extraordinary considering the extent of issues cited.

At the time McKay said information regarding alleged credit card abuse would be turned over to authorities, another possible factor in delay of the audit report posting.

The audit criticisms overshadowed McKay noting the city was in a strong financial position.

Questioned expenditures involving former Mayor Rich Dupree, former Chief of Staff Doug Gann and former employee Brittany Poston Meshell, along with credit card transactions took the spotlight.

Auditors allege Meshell, admitted consort of both Dupree and Gann, received payments for services outside city employment (not enumerated), with checks payable to various parties circumventing the “related party” issue.

According to McKay’s review, frequency of use and price of the services increased during the audit year, and after her employment ended the service was not used, raising the question, his report said, of whether it had been needed at all.

His report noted the mayor’s son’s band was paid for several performances during the year.

And lack of pre-approval for municipal credit card use led to possible waste and abuse, it notes.

About $25,500 in such transactions, involving multiple parties, appeared to have no clear municipal business purpose.

Also cited was failure to seek Requests for Proposals or three bids for development of Beacon Point Beach Park at Buhlow Lake, normal procedure for projects under $250,000.