The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections failed to provide documentation for more than $1.6 million in federal COVID-19 aid spending, according to a recent state audit.
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor, an agency tasked with providing financial accountability for public funds, examined the department’s internal handling of expense reimbursements relating to the Coronavirus Relief Fund, a $150 billion CARES Act program assisting state and local governments.
The U.S. Department of Treasury explicitly noted the relief funding was for COVID-19-related expenses “as it relates to sanitation and improvement of social distancing measures,” as well as other approved health precautions. Auditors reviewed a large sample of paid reimbursement invoices from the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, and Adult Probation and Parole facilities.
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