From the Office of the D.C. Auditor:
“This newest report from the Office of the D.C. Auditor found that ANC 8C Chair Salim Adofo used $2,225 for partisan political activities, and an additional $2,535 in personal services spending lacked documentation to support whether it was for ANC use or for partisan political activity.
In addition, a total of $17,881 of the ANC’s expenditures could not be identified as allowable ANC expenses or did not comply with all legal requirements, including:
Whether eight payments 8C made to ANC 8C Chair Salim Adofo totaling $6,804 were reimbursements for ANC purposes or for partisan political activity.
ANC 8C awarded $4,000 in grants in FY 2022 that did not comply with all legal requirements.
8C spent $1,378 without sufficient documentation to establish the expenditures were for ANC use.”
ANC.8C.Political.Activity.Report (PDF)
Full release:
“ANC 8C Chair Salim Adofo used $2,225 for partisan political activities, and an additional $2,535 in personal services spending lacked documentation to support whether it was for ANC use or for partisan political activity, according to a new report by the Office of the D.C. Auditor (ODCA).
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) are a unique feature of the District’s Home Rule Charter and have been operating since 1976. They are non-partisan and composed of locally elected representatives called Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners.
The discretionary audit examined whether ANC 8C’s expenditures were in compliance with applicable laws, and guidelines, and specifically whether all expenditures were properly documented, supported, and used for public purposes within the commission area or for the functioning of the Commission office.
A total of $17,881 of the ANC’s expenditures could not be identified as allowable ANC expenses or did not comply with all legal requirements, including:
• Whether eight payments 8C made to ANC 8C Chair Salim Adofo totaling $6,804 were reimbursements for ANC purposes or for partisan political activity.
• ANC 8C awarded $4,000 in grants in FY 2022 that did not comply with all legal requirements.
• 8C spent $1,378 without sufficient documentation to establish the expenditures were for ANC use.
Among the report’s recommendations are that:
• Chair Adofo should reimburse ANC 8C for personal services of $2,225 for photos used for partisan political activity.
• The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) should determine if any other actions should be taken against Chair Adofo for use of ANC funds for partisan political activity.
• ANC 8C should develop a policy on the specific fiduciary responsibilities of the Treasurer including the documentation and approval required before they sign checks, approve debit card transactions, and sign the Quarterly Financial Reports.
• ANC 8C should request the T-Mobile cell phone equipment be returned to the Commission from past and current Commissioners and create policies for the purchase of equipment and personal use of cell phones to ensure equipment is returned in the future.
• ANC 8C’s Treasurer should comply with OANC’s debit card procedures by ensuring all debit card transactions are included in the meeting agenda and minutes.”