Former Prosecutor Hired For Audit Of Philly Sheriff's Books
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A former federal prosecutor has been hired to conduct a top-to-bottom audit of the Philadelphia sheriff's office, amid allegations of sloppy bookkeeping (see previous story).
City controller Alan Butkovitz has hired the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche to conduct what's called a "forensic audit" of the sheriff's office.
Leading the team will be Louis Pichini, a former prosecutor who headed the criminal division of the US attorney's office in Philadelphia.
Butkovitz says Pichini is well suited to tackle what will be a difficult and complex case.
"There are a number of issues about some very questionable practices, and some potentially sophisticated processes," Butkovitz told KYW Newsradio on Tuesday. "And Mr. Pichini and this organization have very strong experience and credentials in dealing with those kinds of issues."
A half-million taxpayer dollars will be spent on the audit to untangle the sheriff's office mess. John Green, the longtime Philadelphia sheriff (right), retired last month. The acting sheriff, Barbara Deeley, has since fired three staffers and promised to cooperate with the controller's audit (see related story).
Reported by KYW City Hall Bureau chief Mike Dunn.
