A new report issued by State Auditor Rob Sand’s office highlights financial mismanagement at the Johnson County Conservation Department. According to the report, more than $93,000 were improperly disbursed along with uncollected revenue, between January of 2019 and June of last year. Conservation Director Larry Gullett and Operations Superintendent Wade Schultz are highlighted in the report which claims to have found more than $63,000 in improper disbursements, including unauthorized payroll, credit card transactions and vendor payments, more than $24,000 in unsupported purchases, and more than $5,000 in uncollected revenue attributed to mismanaged wood inventory. Both Gullett and Schultz were placed on paid leave last June. Gullett passed away in September, Schultz remains on paid leave. No formal charges have been filed at this time.

In a statement both the County Conservation Board and Johnson County Board of Supervisors have made a commitment to strengthening financial oversight, and the county is beginning to implement Sand’s recommendations

The investigation was requested by the Conservation Board, Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.