By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – The Hahnville Volunteer Fire Department will be made to repay approximately $71,400 to the  Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Prepare-dness this year based on lack of
sufficient paperwork, said a financial report released by Louisiana Office of the Legislative Auditor.
According to the report, the department received $71,412 in grant funding from GOHSEP in 2012 for its efforts after Hurricane Katrina. GOHSEP allegedly determined that the department “did not maintain adequate timesheets to substiate the cost of labor in these efforts.”
The legislative auditor also released reports on two other St. Charles Parish volunteer fire departments this month that highlighted questionable financial practices.
According to the findings report created by independent certified public account auditor Eriksen Krental and LaPorte, $10,897 of cash receipts “lacked deposit tickets or supporting documentation” at the St. Rose Volunteer Fire District for 2012. Findings at the Luling Volunteer Fire Department revealed that money received for rental income regarding a radio tower had been “inadvertently” deposited into the department’s private account.
The chief of the Hahnville Volunteer Fire Department did not immediately return phone calls.