Stamford to audit all city purchasing
STAMFORD — Mayor David Martin has announced an audit of all purchases after a marina supervisor was charged this month with buying more than $60,000 worth of personal items on a city credit line.
Martin’s announcement came days after members of the Board of Representatives and Board of Finance called for the mayor to look into how the supervisor, Sean Elumba, was able to charge freely for more than two years.
City representatives also said they were disturbed to hear Elumba’s attorney, Christian Young, say his client was encouraged to spend all the money in his budget each year or risk smaller future allocations.
The audit will be conducted by Teresa Viscariello, who will immediately begin a methodical review of city purchasing and procurement, Martin said.
“While the city has controls in place to protect taxpayer assets, when there is a breach in these controls, there is clearly an obligation to review and upgrade city processes,” Martin said.
Police say Elumba, who was hired in 2013, made the purchases between 2015 and this year. Elumba told police he used the city account — set up so he could buy supplies needed to repair the marinas — to purchase items he resold, according to his arrest affidavit.
Elumba said he used the money to fuel his drug and alcohol addiction, the affidavit states.
Board of Finance member Sal Gabriele sent an email last week to Martin requesting the audit.
“I would like to propose an audit of all city of Stamford credit cards, drawdown accounts and hiring practices for the last five years,” he wrote.
In the news release, the city said it will “ensure that this type of theft cannot happen again” and will also review hiring practices, management of employees and other internal controls.”
“The city stands ready to provide additional training and to take all appropriate disciplinary actions, where appropriate,” Michael Handler, city administration director, said in the release.