Mayor Bristles after Council Delays Annual Audit Approval

CRANSTON, RI—The Democratic majority of the City Council and Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung are butting heads once again, this time over what historically has been a routine procedural matter.

A divided City Council on Monday declined to accept the city’s annual audit into the record, with all but one Democrat, Councilman Michael Farina, agreeing to hold off until a final management letter is produced.

Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung said the Democratic majority on the City Council is engaging in “irresponsible political shenanigans” and questioned why the council rejected it when it normally is approved this time of year in draft status.

“By denying their pro-forma acceptance of the independent auditor’s report, the City Council is playing politics with a very serious financial reporting matter. We must submit our audit by the end of the year to the State Auditor General.” Fung said in a statement.

The audit reports a $600,000 surplus for the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

Fung, in his statement, accused the council of attempting to “taint my administration’s image by playing a dangerous game of chicken with our required financial reporting to the state.”

The council grilled a representative from the external auditor, Marcum LLP, and was told that the final version of the audit would probably not differ much from the draft that was put on their agenda Monday night.

Fung said he would submit the audit to the state Auditor General anyway.

“I take my fiduciary duties to the residents of Cranston very seriously and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that the City of Cranston is not late with its audit. It is despicable that the City Council would play politics with a routine audit process that has never been late during my administration.” Fung said. “Shenanigans like this cannot be tolerated and have no place in responsible government.”