Legislative Audit Questions Ethics of Hatfield McCoy Recreation Authority

An audit says the Hatfield McCoy Recreation Authority isn’t following state purchasing, ethics and employee bonus laws.

Legislative Auditor Aaron Allred says the the authority is operating like some laws don’t apply to it, according to a letter written Tuesday.

The letter says the authority should be complying with the competitive bid process, contract reviews by the attorney general and other purchasing requirements.

The auditor wrote that authority board members are subject to the state Ethics Act, which prohibits self-dealing and personal gain from public office.

The letter references $1.3 million in leases, insurance policies, labor, catering and other contracts that benefited board members, the executive director or family.

It says the authority’s employees or contractors can’t receive bonuses.

The Post Audit Division is still reviewing the authority’s financials.