Audit of governor’s office finds minor error

The regularly scheduled audit, done by Comptroller of the Treasury John Morgan, didn’t find anything wrong with the way Bredesen’s office spent its budget.

But the governor’s office didn’t file a letter, required by law, that evaluates how the agency is doing in evaluating its own accounting and administrative systems.

“It was not a major issue at all,” Morgan said. “It did not indicate any mishandling of financial resources.”

Morgan said his auditors decided to point the issue out since the evaluation is required by law every fourth year.

Bredesen’s office said it thought it didn’t have to do the evaluation at the end of 2003.

“It’s a fairly technical matter,” said Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker. “Clearly there is no indication of a misappropriation of funds.”

The comptroller’s office regularly audits all state agencies and departments.

The governor’s office has a staff of about 40 people and a budget of about $3 million.