A scathing audit revealed lavish spending by top officials at the Connecticut State College and Universities (CSCU) system, sparking outrage from lawmakers and calls for better financial controls. The audit, released by Comptroller Sean Scanlon, identified inappropriate expenses, including expensive meals, livery services, and excessive gratuities charged to state-issued cards. Chancellor Terrence Cheng and other administrators came under scrutiny for their spending, with some engaging in personal transactions.
Several recommendations were made in the audit report to address the lack of oversight and financial controls within the CSCU system, including reinstituting internal financial audits, establishing a centralized P-Card policy, and enforcing accountability measures for misuse of P-Cards. Governor Ned Lamont expressed support for these recommendations, while Republicans called for Cheng’s dismissal.
Cheng stated that he would implement the recommendations to enhance transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, lawmakers are monitoring the situation to ensure proper action is taken by the Board of Regents. This scandal has raised concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars within the CSCU system and the need for stronger oversight to prevent abuses in the future.
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