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Sykes: open legislation to the public

For immediate release: Thursday, May 18, 2006

CONTACT:  Ramona Ragland (614) 466-3100

 Sykes introduces legislation to open audits to public

 State Representative Barbara A. Sykes has introduced legislation that would open up the records of state audits performed by private companies to public scrutiny.

 Rep. Sykes’ bill, House Bill 598, was introduced Wednesday. It would repeal a 1991 law – sponsored by then-state Senator Bob Ney – that shields the working papers of private companies hired to audit public agencies.  While the audits themselves are public, the working papers used to prepare such reviews are currently exempt from public disclosure.

 “Any work, any audit paid for with taxpayer dollars should be open to the public and open to public scrutiny,” said Sykes, D-Akron.  “All taxpayers deserve to know how their tax dollars may have been wasted.”

 In March, news organizations sought access to the work papers used in Crowe Chizek & Co.’s recent of the rare coin funds managed by GOP insider Tom Noe, who is believed to have stolen $13 million. Auditor Betty Montgomery denied the request because of the 1991 “Ney exemption” to Ohio’s public records law.

“The public’s trust has been broken, and Ohioans do not want or deserve a secretive government,” said Sykes.  “It will take full openness and transparency to rebuild trust in our system.”

Sykes’ bill would open up the Crowe Chizek & Co. records to public scrutiny along with any other past or future audit work papers.

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