Cole County Circuit Clerk Steps Down Following Audit
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Cole County Circuit Clerk Steps Down Following Audit

Date: April 18, 2012
By: Matt Evans
State Capitol Bureau
Links: The Audit

Intro: 
The Cole County Circuit Clerk stepped down Wednesday after the state auditor found "very serious" financial issues including nearly $15,000 in missing money.
RunTime:  0:34
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Cole County Circuit Clerk Brenda Umstattd's resignation is effective immediately.

State Auditor Tom Schweich rated the overall performance of the Cole County Circuit Clerk's office as "poor."

Schweich also cited "deficiencies in internal controls" and "noncompliance with legal provisions" as problem areas.

Cole County Presiding Judge Patricia Joyce will act as appointing authority for the circuit clerk until a replacement is named.

Joyce said the clerk's poor fiscal management put at risk "hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Matt Evans. 

Intro: 
After Wednesday's audit revealed major mismanagement of funds, the Cole County Circuit Clerk resigned.
RunTime:  0:31
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: State Auditor Tom Schweich rated the overall performance of the Cole County Circuit Court civil and criminal divisions as "poor."

The audit revealed nearly $15,000 of missing funds along with lack of controls and noncompliance with legal provisions.

Cole County Presiding Judge Patricia Joyce will act as appointing authority for the circuit clerk until a replacement is named.

In a press release Joyce said the clerk's poor fiscal management put at risk "hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans.