PEORIA, Ill. – An audit from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Office of the Inspector General audit reveals that Peoria public television station WTVP did not fully comply with CPB requirements.
In the audit released this week, it revealed that WTVP overstated Non-Federal Financial Support by $1,020,410, which resulted in grant overpayments of $130,873. The station also incurred $67,790 of unauthorized spending, lack of adequate support documentation, or unrelated business expenses.
Outside of the spending, the audit reports that WTVP did not comply with Communications Act requirements regarding required information being able to the public in open and closed meetings, open financial records, and did not comply with Community Advisory Board requirements.
The audit recommends that WTVP repay $198,663, or the CPB reduce grant funding by that much. It also recommends CPB management require WTVP to fully comply with requirements for open and closed meetings, and open financial records. It also recommends the CPB monitor WTVP’s financial performance and reporting for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
The report states that WTVP management agreed with the findings and recommendations, and provided what corrective action is being taken. In October of 2023, the station’s board approved $1.5 million in cuts that led to nine people being laid off, along with the end of production for “Peoria Magazine.”
WTVP’s finances have come under intense scrutiny, following the death of former CEO Lesley Matuszak in September of 2023. The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office stated in August there was probable cause to charge Matuszak with embezzlement and forgery, but the investigation was closed after she took her own life.
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