On July 27, 2017, a special investigation by the State Auditor’s Office was closed and a report was presented referencing permit to carry weapons classes presented by two Carroll County Sheriff’s Office employees, Lt. Tom Fransen and administrative assistant, Shauna Balukoff. The audit reviewed fees collected from Jan. 1, 2011 through Oct. 20, 2016. The conclusion of State Auditor, Mary Mosiman, was that the more than $128,710 in class fees were considered undeposited collections for the county, even though classes were conducted during the employees’ off-work hours. It was not widely reported at that time, but in an interview, Mosiman also stated that the dollar amount they arrived at was really only an estimate that included each and every permit issued in the county.
That number would also be greatly reduced if permits were issued to anyone taking a class at another location or online, who are active military or law enforcement or a county employee. None of these people were required to either take or pay for the classes. Instruction was also offered at no charge to all veterans. The year 2011 was the date reference because a change was made to 724 of the Iowa Code that year. Interviews with several other sheriff’s offices across the state during the investigation also brought up questions of whether or not operating the classes during the course of business would be in violation of 23A.2 in the Iowa Code, which does not allow government entities to engage in for-profit activities.
Since the code change in 2011, the State Auditor’s Office has conducted twice yearly audits of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, but cited no violations or undeposited collections until 2016, even though the structure had never been altered. Mosiman says the dollar estimation is what was sent to Carroll County Attorney, John Werden, the Attorney General and the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for their review. That, she adds, is where it ended for her office.
On Tuesday, Werden issued a press release, saying an extensive review in conjunction with out of county prosecutors has been conducted. This group reached the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime has been committed and the investigation is closed without prosecution. Werden then references the state report, which Mosiman says included a number of recommendations to help clear up misunderstandings of how these classes should be managed.
They suggested county officials develop policies on use of the courthouse along with fees and restrictions. That would apply also for the use of county property, such as laptops and projectors. Werden says a new policy was adopted at a March 12 Board of Supervisors meeting. Recommendations to strengthen internal controls within the department as well as formal procedures for the permit to carry weapons classes have also been addressed by Carroll County Sheriff, Ken Pingrey.
