Audit finds money is missing from college

More than $15,000 was missing from Johnston Community College, according to an audit released Monday by State Auditor Les Merritt.

A college employee stole $1,522 from the cashier's office and $13,605 was lost or taken from bookstore collections, according to a news release from Merritt's office. The college learned of the missing money when customers inquired about uncashed checks and students complained about being double billed.

Merritt's news release said that in response, the college implemented tighter controls and additional training campuswide. Merritt's audit was a regular financial audit. He recommended that the college implement new checks that would help detect missing money faster.

"Johnston Community College is taking the right steps to guard against this type of misappropriation in the future," Merritt said. "However, our auditors will check back with the college to ensure that these controls have been properly implemented and that no additional waste is occurring."