Finding 1157054 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two vendors were found to have a conflict of interest, violating Section 19 of the ACC.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Authority failed to comply with conflict of interest prohibitions outlined in the ACC.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update Personnel Policy to include conflict of interest guidelines and establish internal controls for compliance.

Finding Text

authority over the Authority to perform their duties in an ethical manner. As such, HUD's programs contain specific prohibitions with respect to conflicts of interest. Per Section 19 of the Annual Contributions Contract ("ACC") for the Public and Indian Housing program, neither the Authority nor any of its contractors or their subcontractors may enter into any contract subcontract, or arrangement in connection with a project under this ACC in which any of the following classes of people have an interest, direct or indirect, during his or her tenure or for one year thereafter: 1. Any present or former member or office of the governing body of the Authority, or any member of the officer's immediate family. 2. Any employee of the Authority who formulates policy or who influences decisions with respect to the projects, or any member of the employee's immediate family, or the employee's partner. 3. Any public official, member of the local governing body, or State or local legislator, who exercises functions or responsibilities with respect to the projects or the HA. In addition, any member of these classes of persons must disclose the member's interest or prospective interest to the Authority and HUD. The term "immediate family" means the spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, or child of a covered class member. Condition: Based upon discussions with management and review of invoices selected for cash disbursement testing, there were two (2) vendors in which there was a conflict of interest violating Section 19 of the ACC. Context: As part of the cash disbursements testing, we selected a sample of invoices that were paid during the audit period. Based on review of those invoices, there were two (2) vendors in which there was a conflict of interest violating Section 19 of the ACC. Known Questioned Costs: $78,716 Cause: The Authority did not comply with Section 19 of the ACC as it relates to conflicts of interest for the Public and Indian Housing program. Effect: The Authority's non-compliance with Section 19 of the ACC as it relates to conflicts of interest for the Public and Indian Housing program. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority update their Personnel Policy to include conflicts of interest as described in Section 19 of the ACC and design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with Section 19 of the ACC as it related to conflicts of interest.

Corrective Action Plan

Authority's Response and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the Auditors' finding and will implement the required updates and safeguards to ensure that the Authority complies with Section 19 of the ACC to remedy the aforementioned deficiencies. Donald Paredez, Executive Director, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by December 31, 2025.

Categories

Questioned Costs Procurement, Suspension & Debarment HUD Housing Programs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1157048 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157049 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157050 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157051 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157052 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157053 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $10.53M
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $2.21M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $2.20M
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $913,859
14.896 Family Self-Sufficiency Program $86,456