Sunday, March 29, 2015

Audit doesn't stop accusations of financial impropriety at Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO)

ARLINGTON — Controversy still swirls around the recent state auditor's report that found no conflict of interest between Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert's office and her roles related to the municipal airport. It did, however find a lack of oversight with the airport's leases.

Kristina Baylor, audit manager for the state auditor's office, explained that Tolbert was judged according to the state's statutes.

"Based on all the information we had, and all the concerns that were brought to us, it didn't meet the state requirements," Baylor said. "This doesn't mean that it didn't occur, or that there is no potential for it to occur down the line, but that there's not enough evidence to prove that it happened under state law."

Baylor noted that, in order to show a financial benefit that would violate the law, Tolbert would have to make more than $1,500 a month off a given contract, which they determined she did not.

"This one has attracted a lot of attention from the public," Baylor said. "That's why the audit report was delayed so many times, since several different parties brought their concerns to us."

One of those parties was Kevin Duncan, owner of Arlington Flight Services, a business at the airport.

"He had a lot of concerns, which he articulated to us in a couple of lengthy meetings," Baylor said.

Duncan said: "There is so much corruption at the airport, but so much of it, the state auditors can't investigate, because it falls under federal jurisdiction."

Duncan has since contacted the Federal Aviation Administration with 25 allegations of wrongdoing.

"I can't speak to any specific things he might have brought up that we couldn't look at," Baylor said. "We're authorized to look into the financial side of things, but some of his concerns might have been more operational."

Duncan underscored the seriousness of his accusations by pointing out that the airport's grant program depends on receiving fair market value for its properties.

Check www.arlingtontimes.com for updates on this story.

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