Sep 23, 2024 Local News
Washington Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A Missouri State Auditor’s report has highlighted extensive financial mismanagement in the Washington County Collector’s Office. From 2018 to 2021, former County Collector Carla Zettler failed to record or deposit at least $107,081 from property sales, with funds stored as cash in office vaults and reportedly used for personal gains such as lunches and petty disbursements. Additionally, Zettler improperly transferred $3,700 from a Tax Maintenance Fund to her personal account and made questionable expenditures totaling $3,211.
Zettler also distributed at least $32,500 in unsupported payments to office employees using proceeds from county trustee property sales. Moreover, the compensation paid to the County Trustee exceeded the legal limit, with over $39,400 disbursed between 2018 and 2021. These payments were not properly taxed or reported, violating IRS and state guidelines. The county also failed to provide documentation supporting how property sales prices were determined.
Further audit findings revealed that employee bonuses from the Tax Maintenance Fund, totaling $11,989, were issued in violation of the Missouri Constitution. Improper record-keeping practices, including delayed fund transfers and failure to file annual settlements for 2023 and 2024, exposed the office to the risk of loss or theft.
The County Commission is now working with law enforcement officials to address these issues and pursue criminal prosecution for the unaccounted funds. Newly appointed County Collector Kris Richards, sworn in January 2023, has committed to enforcing reforms, ensuring compliance with state law, and improving accountability.
The audit also recommends tighter accounting controls and accurate reporting of all tax collections. Full details of the audit are available on the Missouri State Auditor’s website.
