A relief fund set up by the Beshear Administration to help those affected by the 2021 tornadoes will undergo a special examination as the 2023 gubernatorial election heats up.
The audit was announced on Thursday from the office of former Republican gubernatorial primary candidate and two-term state Auditor Mike Harmon.
The Auditor’s Office is conducting a special examination of the Public Protection Cabinet’s acceptance, administration, and expenditure of monies associated with, and about the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund and the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. The examination will cover both funds from December 11, 2021, through June 30, 2023
The decision follows a letter sent to Harmon by the chairs of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee, Rep. Adam Bowling and Sen. Brandon Storm, which formally requests an audit and/or special examination of the tornado and flood relief funds.
In their letter, the committee co-chairs cite KRS 6.935 (1), which states, “…[t]he Auditor of Public Accounts… shall assist the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee in whatever manner the co-chairs deem… helpful.”
No date has been set for the completion of the audit.
