GOP Iowa Gov Spent COVID Funds On Staff Salaries

The Des Moines Register reports:

A state audit report on government spending released Monday accused Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds of using nearly $450,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds to pay salaries for 21 staff members for three months last year and concealing the spending by passing it through the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

State Auditor Rob Sand said a review of the state’s payroll system shows the money was used to pay the Republican governor’s office staff, but it’s unclear why she had to take federal money to pay the salaries.

The audit isn’t the first time Reynolds has been found to have spent federal funds for nonapproved use. In December 2020, Reynolds had to return $21 million in COVID-19 relief money after using it to upgrade an outdated state information technology system.

Read the full article.

Audit accuses Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds of using nearly $450,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds to improperly pay salaries for 21 of her staffers for 3 months. Governor says feds approved the spending. @DavePitt https://t.co/K9v2aeXM37

— Scott McFetridge (@smcfetridge) November 16, 2021