The financial mishandling by the former Medina Township fiscal officer, Angela Ventura, has led to a recovery finding of $5,195.78, as disclosed in a recent audit. Ventura, alongside her bonding company, is charged with the sum, which embodies late fees, interest, and penalties accumulated from tardy tax and pension payments, among others.
The audit scrutinized the township's finance records spanning from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. It outlined that Ventura was belated in her submissions to several governmental agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, and an insurance provider, the lapses resulted in $3,814.79 in unnecessary charges. "The late fees, penalties, and interest paid by the township that were incurred as a result of gross negligence could have been avoided had the withholdings, payments, and filings been made in a complete and timely manner," the Auditor of State Keith Faber's Office noted.
On top of the aforementioned sum, the audit also tacked on an additional $1,380.99 related to disputed health insurance premiums tied to Ventura's legal troubles, namely, an ongoing divorce action against her husband. The inquiry into these financial discrepancies concluded with a declarative finding against Ventura and her surety, rendering them jointly responsible for the compensation owed to the township.
An online repository of the report provides comprehensive details on the findings and is made available on the Ohio Auditor's website. The repercussions of such fiscal negligence instigate a conversation about the crucial nature of diligent financial management within public offices. In the case of Medina Township, the overlooked deadlines have resulted in a financial strain that, according to the auditors, was unnecessary and preventable.
