An internal audit by the Gary, Indiana city audit staff revealed $13,000 in stolen funds from the city’s Genesis Convention Center, according to a statement by Gary’s mayor, Karen Freeman-Wilson released yesterday.
The stolen funds were diverted from federal grant money to the convention center by an accountant working for the center. Victoria Wilson, 52, of Portage, Indiana, was charged Tuesday in U.S. District Court with one count of theft from a local government entity receiving federal funds.
“The administration and the city Council have worked hard to insure the profitability of the Genesis Center. Any actions inconsistent with those efforts are unacceptable,” Mayor Freeman-Wilson said in a statement. “The good news is that the internal audit process and internal controls are working. The Internal Auditor continues to hold city employees to high standards.”
Freeman-Wilson says the City will continue to work to strengthen internal controls to prevent fraud. “We will also continue to conduct audits and refer findings to the State Board of Accounts and all other authorities when appropriate. We are additionally pleased that U. S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch has included restitution in the plea agreement,” she said.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office and will be heard in front of a federal judge in Hammond, Indiana in the coming weeks. 