The Truth About Our Forensic Audit
Transparency matters. Accountability matters. And most importantly—following through on what has been voted on by your elected officials matters.
So let’s talk about where things currently stand with the forensic audit for the City of Jonesboro.
What We Discovered
On Tuesday, April 6th, during a council meeting, we were informed directly by the Mayor’s office that a $45,000 invoice—which Council officially voted to approve in March—has not been paid.
At the time of that meeting, the invoice was already approximately four months past due.
Let that sink in.
Council took formal action. A vote was held. Approval was given.
And yet—the payment was not made.
What Happened Next
Because the City failed to meet its financial obligation within the contract terms, the forensic audit firm exercised its contractual right:
-
The firm applied the $20,000 retainer toward the outstanding balance
-
This was triggered because payment was not made within 10 days, as required by the agreement
That means:
-
We still owe approximately $29,000+ to satisfy the remaining balance
-
AND we are now required to replenish the $20,000 retainer
So even if we pay what remains on the invoice, the City is still obligated to restore the retainer.
Where We Are in the Audit Process
This forensic audit was structured in five phases, and we are now at the most critical point:
Phase 1: Scope Refinement
-
Interviews conducted with the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmembers, and other identified individuals
-
Workplan refined based on gathered insights and provided to the Attorney
Phase 2: Information Gathering
-
Collection of written policies and procedures
-
Extraction of financial data from accounting systems
-
Review of bank and credit card statements
-
Review of email communications (when approved)
-
Collection of board meeting minutes and official records
Phase 3: Risk-Based Analysis
-
Data analytics performed to identify irregular or suspicious transactions
-
Background research conducted using public records
-
Anomalies traced and reviewed against supporting documentation
-
Targeted deep-dive reviews conducted where needed
Phase 4: Reporting (CURRENT PHASE)
-
Findings are summarized into a formal written report
-
Findings are to be presented to Council upon approval
Phase 5: Value-Add / Recommendations
-
Identification of improvements to strengthen internal controls
-
Recommendations to improve financial processes and accountability
What This Means
This situation raises serious concerns:
-
We are now in breach of contract
-
The firm has the right to withhold deliverables, including the final audit report
-
The completion of the audit is now at risk
After nearly a year of work, we are at the finish line—waiting on the findings.
And now, due to non-payment, those findings may never be released.
The Bigger Question
What precedent does this set?
When Council votes to take action, that action must be carried out.
Failure to execute what has been formally approved:
-
Undermines the authority of Council
-
Damages the City’s credibility
-
Delays critical transparency for our residents
At this point, the reality is difficult to ignore:
We have already invested over $35,000 into this forensic audit.
And yet—because of inaction—we are at risk of never seeing the results.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The people of Jonesboro deserve answers.
We cannot afford delays.
We cannot afford missteps.
And we certainly cannot afford to lose the findings of an audit that was initiated in the interest of transparency and accountability.
This is not just about a payment.
This is about trust.
This is about governance.
This is about doing what we said we would do.
Help me make that make sense.
Councilwoman Santia Fox
Forward with Fox — Transparency. Accountability. One Jonesboro.
