| Public Release Date: April 18, 1997 | No. 97-19 |
The primary mission of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans is to promote the social, economic, and political development of Minnesota's Asian-Pacific community. The council consists of 19 members from the Asian-Pacific community appointed by the Governor and four ex-officio members appointed from the Legislature. Albert de Leon served as the council's executive director from its inception in 1985 until his retirement in December 1994. Lee Pao Xiong was appointed and began serving as executive director in July 1995.
Our audit scope included a review of gifts and grants, payroll, and contractual services for the period July 1, 1992, to June 30, 1996.
We concluded that the council did not account for and administer its grants properly. Certain council grant accounts still have balances remaining, even though the grants have expired. Also, funds from a nonprofit organization are commingled with the council's funds.
We also concluded that payroll transactions were properly authorized and recorded, adequately supported, and processed in accordance with applicable bargaining agreements. However, we found one instance where an employee's timesheet did not reflect actual hours worked.
Generally, we found that payments were within the terms of the contracts, were properly recorded on the state's accounting system, and complied with applicable legal compliance requirements tested. However, we found that the council failed to amend two contracts resulting in overpayments of $1,462.99. We also found that three contractors began working before their contracts had been properly approved.
