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(OSKALOOSA, IA) — State Representative Helena Hayes (House District 88) issued a statement regarding recent public comments made by former Oskaloosa Community School Board President, Charlie Comfort, concerning the ongoing re-audit of th Oskaloosa Community School District.
“It has been brought to my attention that former School Board President Charlie Comfort published misleading and inaccurate statements regarding the status of the reaudit,” Representative Hayes said.
On October 16th, Comfort published a post titled, "The Smoking Gun: Emails Reveal Kathy Butler Requested Oskaloosa's Special Audit-Then Denied It," In the post, Comfort stated, "According to sources familiar with the matter, the Auditor’s Office has completed its review and found no evidence of wrongdoing or fiscal misconduct by district staff."
The Office of the State Auditor operates under strict confidentiality requirements established in Iowa law and if this disclosure had, in fact, come from within the Auditor’s Office, it would constitute a serious violation of Iowa statute—one that is grounds for employee termination.
Given the gravity of the comments, Hayes reached out for clarification from the State Auditor, which confirmed Comforts' statements are inaccurate.
Accordingly, the State Auditor’s Office has issued a public comment to reaffirm the confidential nature of its ongoing work and to correct the misinformation circulating within the community.
“As public officials and community leaders, it is imperative that we speak truthfully and responsibly, especially regarding matters involving state oversight and public trust,” Hayes added. "The integrity of the auditing process depends on confidentiality and accuracy — not, as Mr. Comfort suggested in his posts: 'secrecy,’ ‘collusion,’ or ‘concealment.’”
OFFICE OF AUDITOR OF STATE PUBLIC STATEMENT:
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