By Michelle Williams | Michelle.Williams@MassLive.com
More than $1.8 million is due to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, according to an audit released by the office of the state Auditor Tuesday.
The audit found long overdue account balances have been left on the books, totaling $1,863,103 more than 90 days past due. Approximately half of the accounts are more than a decade past due, according to the Massachusetts state auditor’s office.
“The MBTA should take all appropriate steps to collect funds that are due to the agency, but should also realistically write-off balances that are not likely to be recouped. This ensures an accurate picture of the financial status of the entity,” Auditor Suzanne M. Bump said in a statement.
The transportation authority dealt with vacancies in management positions and multi-million dollar deficits in recent years.
More than 260 employees took buyouts earlier this year, the Boston Globe reports, as apart of a plan to eliminate 300 positions from the agency’s payroll.
“As leadership at the MBTA considers significant overhauls, they should first look at their oversight processes to ensure that they have adequate protections in place to protect taxpayer funds from theft, loss, or abuse,” Bump said. “Without these protections, systemic problems like those identified in our audit will likely continue, despite structural changes.”
