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County controller won't OK bills for housing agency

The Butler County controller is denying payments of invoices totaling $40,000 to the Housing Authority of Butler County because of questions surrounding the indefinite leave of its executive director as well as issues with other high-ranking employees.

Ben Holland on Friday sent a letter to the county commissioners and county solicitor Michael English telling them of his decision to withhold the funds on the basis of “reasonable grounds to investigate.”

“Given the current circumstances, and uncertainties within the Housing Authority, I cannot presently in good faith release any further funding to that organization,” Holland said in the letter.

The authority placed executive director Perry O’Malley on paid leave Jan. 15 without explanation, after the authority’s former comptroller, Dave Schnur resigned on or about Jan. 8. The authority on Feb. 19 placed Sandra Reges, operations manager, on a two-week paid leave until this coming Friday, also without explanation.

In his letter, Holland said the authority’s officials would not confirm or deny whether those matters directly or indirectly related to finances.

Authority board member Jerry Andree said, “We have not had any conversations with (Holland) that I’m aware of.

He declined to comment on Holland’s questioning of the authorities issues.

Andree said the authority is willing to sit down and talk with Holland and county officials.

Holland said the uncertainty with the authority has him concerned about its finances.

“At this point its very difficult to justify the expense,” he said.

Holland said he would continue to deny payments until the authority offers some explanation of what is going on.

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