Audit discovers major problems within Dept. of Safety

March 23, 2006

 WSMV.com Reported by Dagny Stuart

Critical audit hammers Safety Department

The Tennessee's Safety Department has been hampered by one scandal after another concerning Highway Patrol troopers with criminal records and charges of political cronyism.

Now a critical state audit is questioning how well the department is protecting your tax dollars. This scathing audit by the state comptroller's office is the latest indictment of the Department of Safety.

The audit says Safety Department managers have ignored risks of fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars. For instance, the department doesn't keep track of license tags and decals shipped to county clerks because it doesn't reconcile inventory reports.

There is no attempt to match up the number of tags and decals going out with the amount of money coming in. State auditors have complained about this for 16 years, and 16 years later officials are still promising to fix it.

"The computer systems the department has does not adequately address what needs to be done, so we are working right now on getting the correct computer system in here,” said Melissa McDonald, Spokesperson for the Department of Safety.

There's also the problem of money at driver's license stations. At one station, large sums of cash were kept in an unlocked desk drawer. At another station, money was kept in a cash box on top of a counter -- easily accessible to thieves.

"I can tell you there are already procedures and policies that have been revised and managers are being told what their accountability is. We will hold them accountable," said McDonald.

Finally there's also the problem of computer security. Auditors say the department does not have a disaster recovery plan. If something happens to some of their computers, the department may not be able to recreate the files, and auditors claim the department has not moved backup files to an alternate recovery site.

"Overall, it reflects (that) it's a department in disarray, maybe to a disabling extent," said State Senator Mark Norris.

Senator Norris, who chairs the Transportation and Safety Committee, says the computer issues may be the most troubling.

"If their computer system, their information system does not have a backup, then you have to ask what other essential systems might not have a backup as well? Are they prepared to meet the emergency preparedness plan and needs of this state?" said Norris.

Melissa McDonald points out there's a tough new commissioner in charge and lots of management changes are beginning at the top.

"We can't go back and address everything that's been done wrong in the past, but we can fix things going forward. That's what Commissioner Nicely and Governor Bredesen are committed to doing,” said McDonald.

But Senator Norris is making his own promise.

"If the legislative branch has to assume responsibility to clean up this mess, we will," said Norris.

Managers in the Department of Safety have actually made several improvements since the last audit. They are keeping better track of online driver’s license renewals and posting returned checks more quickly. They are also keeping a closer watch on driver training schools.

Their spokeswoman points out that many of these computer issues require more funding and they are asking state lawmakers to approve those additional dollars.