The former clerk of a township in northwest Iowa, accused of misspending tens-of-thousands of dollars, stated in a letter of resignation that she was “not competent” in the position. The letter was included in a special report released Tuesday by State Auditor Mary Mosiman.
The report focuses on actions taken by Peggy Powell, the former clerk for Grange Township, located in Woodbury County. “The special investigation identified a little over $60,000 of improper and unsupported disbursements from the township account,” Mosiman said.
The audit shows nearly $36,000 in improper withdrawals came from automated teller machines. “Most of the cash withdrawals were at casinos,” Mosiman said. “Some of the money was paid back, but not all of it.” The review covered a period between 2006 and November 2013, when Powell resigned.
“In a letter of resignation to township officials, she referenced that it was due to incompetence to do the job,” Mosiman said. The state auditor’s office was contacted in November after the Woodbury County Treasurer’s office attempted to electronically deposit property tax collections into the township’s bank account and found that it had been closed. A copy of the audit was sent to the Woodbury County Attorney.