In a recent government meeting, officials reviewed an internal audit investigation concerning payroll discrepancies at the port. The audit highlighted significant weaknesses in the controls over employee time and attendance documentation, which included timesheets, monthly attendance calendars, time cards, and leave documents.

The investigation revealed that an employee's timesheet did not align with other attendance records, and critical documents were missing. This lack of adequate control resulted in inaccuracies in payroll processing. The Port Executive Director, Mr. Charles Tullison, was identified as responsible for addressing these issues.

A specific case was discussed involving an employee who received compensation for hours not worked while on vacation. The investigation confirmed that the employee was mistakenly paid for 6.5 hours on July 12, 2023, but found no evidence of intentional fraud. The employee acknowledged the error and agreed to reimburse the port. Misunderstandings regarding sick leave policies were noted as a common issue among staff.

In response to the findings, the port has implemented several corrective measures, including transitioning to a biometric time clock system to prevent time manipulation and adopting a new payroll system with enhanced security features. Both the employee and their supervisor received written warnings and were required to review payroll fraud policies and civil service rules by mid-May.

The port's management emphasized the importance of vigilance against payroll fraud and the necessity for accurate timekeeping practices moving forward. Further violations could lead to more severe disciplinary actions, including potential dismissal.