A review by an unnamed software company found 4,500 improper licenses on state computers, according to the Auditors of Public Accounts, a failure that could cost more than $5.2 million.
Auditors, reporting on the state’s former information technology agency now spread across multiple state agencies, suggested the development of a process for disposing of computers and software products. When state agency’s questioned the value of developing the policy considering its costs, the auditors pointed out the manufacturer’s review.
“This is an example of just one software compliance audit,” the auditors wrote. “It would appear, based on potential, future compliance audits and penalties that the benefits of a central software acquisition, management, use, deployment and disposal platform and policy would far outweigh the costs of development and implementation.”
Auditors also found:
– Errors in longevity payments. The agency overpaid at least three employees and underpaid one by more than $12,000 over a number of years.
– Improperly reported cases of misused state resources. One employee had to pay back the state for using a state cell phone for personal calls while another received a 30-day suspension for viewing pornography on state computers, but the agency didn’t report either case to auditors or the comptroller, as required by law.