Cecil residents petition for forensic audit of township accounts

Only six days into 2014, Cecil Township officials received their first petition of the new year after holding their annual reorganization meeting Monday night.
The petition called for the board of supervisors to authorize a forensic audit of all township accounts over the last four years. Residents who spoke in favor of the forensic audit said the township could not be trusted in light of an ongoing investigation into former police chief John Pushak’s handling of a special police account. Court records showed an ATM card linked to the special account was used to withdraw thousands of dollars in 2012, with some transactions being made at ATMs in local casinos.
According to the affidavit, Pushak allegedly wrote a personal check for $3,000 to cover a discrepancy in the department’s federal asset forfeitures account and promptly resigned from his position.
“Our residents do not trust our local government,” said resident Shirley O’Donnell. “It is vital to restore trust and relieve the concern of our citizens through a forensic audit.”
O’Donnell said 662 residents signed the petition in favor of a forensic audit.
Kim Rozanc also asked the board to authorize a forensic audit and questioned why residents, including her, had heard there were discrepancies in the police account before the board did.
“How did we know, and this board sitting up here, how did you not know when residents are hearing about it?” Rozanc asked. “If you are here and you are responsible for this building, why were you not aware of this?”
Supervisor Andy Schrader said the township followed procedure by putting Pushak on paid administrative leave, and then turning matters over to the district attorney and state police.
“We went through the steps, and the bottom line was we were trying to make sure there would be no future litigation,” Schrader said.
The board remained the same from 2013, with the exception of supervisor Cindy Fisher, who filled the vacancy left by Michael Debbis. The board voted 3-1 Monday to appoint Fisher as the board’s vice-chairperson, and also voted 3-1 to appoint Schrader as chairperson. Supervisor Elizabeth Cowden was the dissenting vote in both motions.
Cowden said she signed the petition for the forensic audit, even though the petition addressed the board of supervisors. She said she still has unanswered questions, and a forensic audit would be good for the township. Cowden then made a motion to consider the audit, but it died for lack of a second.
Schrader said he did not think the forensic audit was necessary at this time because the township already pays for an annual audit.
“I don’t know that that’s something we need to spend money on right now,” he said.
During the reorganization meeting, the board approved Hosack, Specht, Muetzel & Wood LLP in Pittsburgh as the new township auditor, replacing Cypher & Cypher Certified Public Accountants in Canonsburg.