Remember Nicole Fogel?She's the former criminal division clerk who embezzled $120,000 from county coffers. Most of it was bail money. She's paid back every cent, surrendered her county pension and was sentenced to a minimum of nine months in an overcrowded jail. When it was learned that Fogel's office had last been audited in 1992, incumbent controller John Scimmel became another casualty. Voters elected challenger Steve Barron in a very close race. His margin of victory was 414 votes.
These days, the criminal division is undergoing about a gazillion audits on every level and has a new boss, Leigh Ann Fisher.
But it's still a mess.
"On a scale on 1 to 10, how would you rate that office?," asked Ron Angle at yesterday's finance committee meeting.
"I'd give it about a 5," answered Controller Steve Barron, explaining there are "tough eggs to crack in that department. There is resistance."
Barron insisted that "Leigh Ann is doing a wonderful job," and Court Administrator Jim Onembo quickly agreed. But they don't work for her. According to county exec John Stoffa, "Everybody has a story to tell in that office." Leigh Ann may impress county officials, but not the people in her own office.
It shows. There is $161,000 in old bail money and another $490,000 in a general account that no one can identify with anything. Criminal defendants were actually being double charged a 25% fee on matters sent to a collection agency. And no emphasis is placed on getting restitution on older cases first, where victims may have been waiting for years.
Sheesh. Who are the crooks here?
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that large sums of money are still not associated with anything and the employees there don't like their new boss. That offfice should be much higher than 5 by now. I don't know anyone can claim to be doing a great job there in view of the problems.
ReplyDeletethe "new boss" should start chopping heads.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why Nicole was mentioned in this blog. She no longer works there. She pled guilty, was sentenced, did her time and is now trying to move on with her life along with her son. What is going on in that office now has nothing to do with her. I'm sure if that amount of money is unaccounted for now it was unaccounted for then. There are many dedicated employees in that office that get over looked and never get thanked for their hard work. Maybe the higher ups should start giving out some ATTA Boys instead of always the negative comments.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why Nicole was mentioned in this blog. She no longer works there. She pled guilty, was sentenced, did her time and is now trying to move on with her life along with her son. What is going on in that office now has nothing to do with her. I'm sure if that amount of money is unaccounted for now it was unaccounted for then. There are many dedicated employees in that office that get over looked and never get thanked for their hard work. Maybe the higher ups should start giving out some ATTA Boys instead of always the negative comments.
ReplyDeleteWhen you go from an absolute failure to a 5 I think that is an ATTA boy. Resistance to positive change is bad. Seems like that is the problem here. Seems like a lot was done in 6 month and let's hope and pray more gets done in the next 6 as well.
ReplyDeleteBernie, let me help you out here - The post mentions Nicole's name because it's pertinent to the story. It also gives the details of her reimbursement, pension forfeiture, etc. so that people recognize that she stole but then made good and was punished for her actions.
ReplyDeleteThe Division was a mess when Nicole was there, and still a mess now. That's the whole point!
Now for my part - As to the employees that are there, I am sure there are some good ones. However, the fact that it's a mess means it needs to change. I'd wager some of the employees are resistant to changing anything, and that's creating more problems.
Yes, I mentioned Nicole, not to slam her, but to point out that this is the office that had problems. It looks like thse problems continue.
ReplyDeletei wonder does anyone ever have good things to say about there boss?
ReplyDeleteIn government, you can never clean up a problem department with an insider, Ms. Fisher, who should have seen the issues but never made an attempt to bring it to the attention of the County Executive. The best results are achieved by bringing in an outsider, who then brings in paid consultants who are independent of local politics. It is not too late to change course.
ReplyDeleteMarn Inslin was grooming Nicole Fogel to be the Chief Clerk in that office.
ReplyDeleteAfter three years and two picks, Mr. Stoffa can still blame Hartzell or Brackbill, or somebody.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that with other executives when things are bad the employees are heroes fighting corrupt forces but with Stoffa they are evil entrenched bureaucratic uinsiders determined to undermine good governemnt.
You should revive Pravda.
You beat me to it.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the criminal division employees treat the public with great kindness and care. I have seen them treat each other with arrogance and distrust. Leigh Ann Fisher didn't have a chance once she was promoted - she was no longer one of "them". Take anyone of them aside and they will rant on about every other person in that office. It is a most divisive atmosphere to work in. The money problem will continue and it's just waiting for the next "Nicole" to figure out how to get their hands on all that unnaccounted for cash. And it's not only protocol in handling money that is a problem. Have you ever tried to view a file pertaining to the welfare or abuse of minors or rape victims in another county? Can't do it unless names etc. of minors and victims are blocked out. Not so in NC - you can get it all - names, addresses, ages - it's just another problem waiting to bubble to the surface.
ReplyDeleteAnonn 2:51
ReplyDeleteYou are wrong! Bernnie has said John Stoffa fixed everything in Northampton County. He is the Sun, the Air and the Truth. He shall set you free.
Stop whinning you have never had it so good.
Anon 2:51,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interesting observation. I don't believe the last point you make is true, but I'll find out.
Anon 4:51,
Quit politicizing everything.