Senator asks for inquiry into transportation department overpayments

Face The State

State Sen. Dave Schultheis

State Sen. David Schultheis has asked state auditors to look into why officials at the Colorado Department of Transportation have not attempted to recover an estimated $100,000 in overpayments to employees.

Earlier this month, Face the State reported that CDOT decided to not try to recoup the $100,000 after department Chief Financial Officer Heather Copp deemed the amount "immaterial."

"It's not immaterial to the average taxpayer I assure you," says Schultheis, who chairs the Legislative Audit Committee. "I don't want to see what could appear to be a cavalier attitude to what I think is a lot of money. We need to be asking for that money back."

The overpayments were a result of numerous errors caused by the hasty implementation of a new CDOT payroll accounting system in late 2006. Department officials were able to reimburse employees who had been underpaid as well as recoup money from employees who notified management of overpayments. But for workers who stayed quiet about being overpaid, the balance was never corrected.

According to an internal report, officials doubted their ability to calculate precise figures on who was over-compensated and feared that such efforts would negatively affect "employee relations." Ultimately, Copp decided not to pursue collection of the outstanding overpayments, estimated at $100,000.

Schultheis has requested that state audit staff open an inquiry into Copp's decision. Along with reviewing audit reports and recommending special studies, the committee can call state officials in to answer questions.

Copp is no longer employed by CDOT, however. The former financial chief left voluntarily "a couple of weeks ago," says department spokesperson Stacey Stegman. "She found a better opportunity."