Report No. 2010-14
January 2010
Complete Audit Report

The following findings were included in our audit report on the City of St. Louis, Office of Public Administrator.

It appears the Public Administrator's salary and his employees' benefits have not been established in accordance with state law. Although the Public Administrator requested to be paid on a salary basis, the city has not complied with his request. In addition, the Public Administrator requested his employees be considered city employees and offered city benefits; however, currently, the Public Administrator pays his employees salaries and benefits from Public Administrator fees.

The Public Administrator did not file a statement of assets annually, resulting in inadequate bond coverage. The Public Administrator indicated a statement of assets had not been filed since September 2006, when it was requested by the Probate Judge. At our request, the Public Administrator filed a statement of assets on September 30, 2009. As a result of the statement of assets, the Probate Court required the Public Administrator to increase bond amounts for 59 wards and estates.

The Public Administrator did not ensure adequate collateral securities were pledged by depositary banks for two cases. As of September 30, 2009, the Public Administrator had maintained funds in one ward's bank account totaling approximately $1.5 million since August 10, 2009, when the ward was assigned to the Public Administrator, and in another estate bank account totaling approximately $540,000 since April 13, 2009, when investments were sold to prepare for the final distribution of the ward's monies.

Complete Audit Report
Missouri State Auditor's Office
moaudit@auditor.mo.gov