DELHI, Iowa — A former Delhi city clerk totaled over $80,000 of improper and unsupported disbursements during a seven-year period, a state audit report has determined.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand said Lori Tucker paid herself excess overtime and vacation reimbursements, made payments to insurance providers and used the city's credit card and checking account for improper purchases from January 2015 to June 30, 2022.
Of the $80,000, $66,559 were improperly disbursed funds and $13,525 were unsupported disbursements. Tucker charged the city's credit card for nearly $7,000, buying from Amazon, fast food restaurants and retail stores like Walmart, the audit report states.
Delhi city officials requested an investigation over concerns about financial transactions handled by Tucker. While employed with Delhi, she also worked as the city clerk for the city of Ryan which raised concern by Delhi officials.
City records were not maintained making it difficult to determine if additional amounts of money were misused, according to the report
Tucker also provided a former Delhi maintenance employee with payments for insurance premiums, paid their medical expenses and contributions to a savings account.
City officials told the state that Tucker's laptop used for work had the password changed and software installed without approval. The software would wipe the data off the computer if someone attempted to log in to it.
The city had to purchase a new laptop because of the software. Officials also told the auditor's office they had surveillance video that showed Tucker working after normal work hours.
Tucker resigned in April 2022.
