Auditor: Funds investigation complete

State Auditor Hector Balderas said Monday he has completed his audit of 2007 Curry County fair funds and plans to share it with county officials this week.

In February, county officials requested the state audit 2007 fair funds accounts in an effort to find up to $11,000 in unaccounted for funds.

Balderas said the report includes recommendations on the county’s accounting practices. He would not comment on whether the audit discovered criminal activity.

“There’s already various findings and recommendations,” Balderas said. “We’re trying to expedite it as quick as possible.”

Balderas said he would make the report available to the public after he meets with county officials.

County Manager Lance Pyle said he hopes to meet with the auditor today to discuss the results of the audit.

Curry County Treasurer Rhonda Bookout was indicted Feb. 22 for tampering with public records in connection with the case and took an unpaid leave of absence.

County offices, including Bookout’s, were searched twice in February by State Police.

District Attorney Matt Chandler said he will review the report to determine if additional criminal charges would be filed.