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City auditor urges outside review after staff says FEMA map document was altered; council debates next steps
Summary
The City auditor said on Sept. 9 his office found a reasonable basis to be concerned that a FEMA exhibit used in a tax‑incentive decision had been altered and recommended an outside legal investigation; council members split on next steps and debated referrals to police or federal investigators.
The office of the city auditor told the City Council on Sept. 9 it had found a reasonable basis to be concerned that a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mapping exhibit used in a previous tax‑incentive approval had been altered, and recommended an outside, independent investigation.
George Holland, city auditor, said his office began a review after receiving an allegation in August. Auditor staffer Amir Hussain, a Certified Fraud Examiner who led the probe, described a timeline that began with a June 2022 FEMA mapping release and followed regulatory steps, an incentive application, hearings and two council readings in early 2024. Hussain told council the auditor’s office found discrepancies between documents and versions and said testimony given under oath during litigation further raised concerns.
Holland and Hussain recommended the council authorize an external law firm or outside counsel experienced in public incentives to…
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