State Auditor Susan Montee said that the agriculture department will be audited following the dismissal of agriculture director Fred Ferrell, who faces sexual harassment allegations.
A former secretary within the department claims she denied a settlement of $70,000 from the state to silence her sexual harassment claims against Ferrel.
Montee says the proposed settlement raised fiscal concerns addressed in her recent campaign.
Actuality: MONTEE2.WAV |
Run Time: 00:10 |
Description: Montee says the proposed settlement raised fiscal concerns addressed in her recent campaign. |
This will be the first agriculture department audit since 1999.
From the State Capitol, I'm Kevin Gehl.
Intro: State Auditor Susan Montee will audit the agriculture department after learning of a confidential state settlement offered to a former secretary within the department. Kevin Gehl (GALE) spoke with Montee at the state capitol.
Only days after the dismissal of director Fred Ferrell, the state agriculture department earned a full audit from State Auditor Susan Montee.
The audit stems from a $70,000 settlement offered to a former female secretary in the agriculture department who accused Ferrell of sexual harassment.
Actuality: MONTEE1.WAV |
Run Time: 00:17 |
Description: Montee says the settlement offer deserves a thorough investigation. |
The secretary first complained in May of 2006 and claims she was offered the settlement by the state to keep her allegations private.
From the state capitol, I'm Kevin Gehl.