County treasurer misued funds in ‘90

Jeff Schweers

Friday, July 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Clark County Treasurer Mark Aston has been cited in the past for misusing county funds, according to internal auditor Jerry Carroll.

A 1990 audit showed Aston circumvented budget procedures by spending $40,000 raised through land sales that should have gone to the general fund, but because it was used for county purposes, there was no finding of criminal wrongdoing.

The audit could only account for $9,000, spent on computer equipment Aston said was needed for the treasurer's office. The other $31,000 was unaccounted for, Carroll said.

The 1990 audit was similar in circumstances to a recent audit report that Aston misused interest earned on the county's tax receivable fund to buy close to $5,000 in office equipment and other items.

The audit also said Aston used the interest-bearing account for legal and investment consulting services to the tune of $95,000 a year, which Aston said saved the county more than $50,000 on an existing consulting arrangement.

The audit said Aston cost the county $111,000 in interest earnings, and the school district $84,000 in interest earnings.

Aston, treasurer since 1986, also said he only used the funds after getting the OK from a former district attorney and former Finance Director Guy Hobbs.

Hobbs said he never advised Aston to use those funds.

"As far as the professional services contracts go, we suggested those go through the county procurement process," Hobbs said. "We were later told there was legal support for the way he did it, but that was never anything we would have encouraged or suggested."

District Attorney Stewart Bell said Aston committed no criminal wrongdoing, but violated county budgeting procedures.

"The county procedure for acquisition of items for a particular county division was not followed," Bell said, "but monies weren't stolen."