KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas – Kaufman County Auditor Karen Cooper pledged diligence and cooperation in making county operations the “very best” after a two-month long investigation by the Texas Rangers and other authorities which ultimately found no wrongdoing.
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The investigation began after accusations were made against Cooper which alleged improper accounting procedures and policies and civil and criminal wrongdoing.
An outside auditor determined Cooper was maintaining proper controls in the performance of her duties and followed generally accepted accounting principles and procedures. The county audit report was given an “unmodified” rating by accounting firm Patillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. Of Waco, Texas, which is the highest rating a government agency can receive.
Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley told Kaufman County Commissioners at a Monday meeting the investigations into wrongdoing on Cooper's behalf have been concluded without any allegations being substantiated. A Kaufman County grand jury also declined to indict Cooper on any of the allegations.
Cooper's appointment as the county auditor has been on a temporary basis since April when District Judges Chitty and Tygrett temporarily extended her appointment pending the results of the investigations. On Monday, June 9, 2014, District Judges Chitty and Tygrett held a special meeting and unanimously re-appointed Cooper as the county auditor for a term of two years commencing on June 10, 2014, at a salary of $76,930.70 per year.
In a press release earlier today, Cooper stated, “I am relieved this horrible, stressful, episode of my professional career has now ended and I can focus on my job.”
“The numerous news articles, and social media postings over the past two months have certainly adversely affected my family, character, and reputation,” she stated. “I pledge to work diligently and cooperatively with all elected officials and department heads in Kaufman County as we move forward in making Kaufman County the very best county we can be in all areas of operation.”
“My legal counsel has asked me not to comment further until it is determined what course of action I may pursue in the future concerning those responsible for this unfortunate series of events,” stated Cooper.
The Texas Rangers, the Kaufman County District Attorney's Office, and the Kaufman County Human Resources Department were each involved in the investigation.
An outside auditor determined Cooper was maintaining proper controls in the performance of her duties and followed generally accepted accounting principles and procedures. The county audit report was given an “unmodified” rating by accounting firm Patillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. Of Waco, Texas, which is the highest rating a government agency can receive.
Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley told Kaufman County Commissioners at a Monday meeting the investigations into wrongdoing on Cooper's behalf have been concluded without any allegations being substantiated. A Kaufman County grand jury also declined to indict Cooper on any of the allegations.
Cooper's appointment as the county auditor has been on a temporary basis since April when District Judges Chitty and Tygrett temporarily extended her appointment pending the results of the investigations. On Monday, June 9, 2014, District Judges Chitty and Tygrett held a special meeting and unanimously re-appointed Cooper as the county auditor for a term of two years commencing on June 10, 2014, at a salary of $76,930.70 per year.
In a press release earlier today, Cooper stated, “I am relieved this horrible, stressful, episode of my professional career has now ended and I can focus on my job.”
“The numerous news articles, and social media postings over the past two months have certainly adversely affected my family, character, and reputation,” she stated. “I pledge to work diligently and cooperatively with all elected officials and department heads in Kaufman County as we move forward in making Kaufman County the very best county we can be in all areas of operation.”
“My legal counsel has asked me not to comment further until it is determined what course of action I may pursue in the future concerning those responsible for this unfortunate series of events,” stated Cooper.
The Texas Rangers, the Kaufman County District Attorney's Office, and the Kaufman County Human Resources Department were each involved in the investigation.