Bill Text: PA HR877 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: A Concurrent Resolution urging the Auditor General of the Commonwealth, with the assistance of the judicial auditing agency of the Commonwealth unified judicial system, to conduct an in-depth investigation and audit of the expenditure of public funds, for the Philadelphia Family Court building project, particularly the estimated $12 million in alleged costs and fees which need to be traced and audited, and to require a report disseminating the findings and allocations of all funds expended to date.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 18-6)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-07-02 - Referred to JUDICIARY [HR877 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR877-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 4079
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 877 Session of2010
INTRODUCED BY SCHRODER, VEREB, BELFANTI, BENNINGHOFF, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DENLINGER, DePASQUALE, EVERETT, GINGRICH, GROVE, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLER, MOUL, D. O'BRIEN, RAPP, REICHLEY, ROAE, SWANGER AND FLECK, JULY 2, 2010
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JULY 2, 2010
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Urging the Auditor General of the Commonwealth, with the
assistance of the judicial auditing agency of the
Commonwealth unified judicial system, to conduct an in-depth
investigation and audit of the expenditure of public funds,
for the Philadelphia Family Court building project,
particularly the estimated $12 million in alleged costs and
fees which need to be traced and audited, and to require a
report disseminating the findings and allocations of all
funds expended to date.
WHEREAS, Allegations of fraud and abuse of power undermine
the public trust and may constitute a waste of taxpayer funds,
the degree of which cannot be determined without a full and
complete investigation and financial audit; and
WHEREAS, The members of the General Assembly, individually
and on behalf of the constituents they represent, are concerned
with the potential abuse and misuse of public funds under the
guise of a public building and urban improvement project for the
Philadelphia Family Court; and
WHEREAS, The alleged fees and costs of the Philadelphia
Family Court project are estimated to involve $12 million of
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public funds; and
WHEREAS, The process upon which the development contract for
the Philadelphia Family Court project was awarded, with or
without the use of a bidding process, has come under question,
especially as to suggested improprieties; and
WHEREAS, The public is entitled to information with respect
to how the public funds were used in the furtherance of the
Philadelphia Family Court project so that future projects can
avoid raising similar concerns; and
WHEREAS, Substantial questions have been raised about the
preexisting relationships and the interaction between the
parties who have been involved in the purchase of the land, the
development project and the termination of construction on the
Philadelphia Family Court building; and
WHEREAS, It is important to improve the overall decision-
making process and increase the efficiency of building projects
in this Commonwealth, and it is imperative that public funds are
used in an efficient manner in the best interests of the
citizens of this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, It is important to uncover fraud or misuse of public
funds, if any has occurred, during the Philadelphia Family Court
project; and
WHEREAS, The Auditor General of the Commonwealth is uniquely
qualified to perform, either independently or in conjunction
with a judicial auditing agency of the Commonwealth unified
judicial system, an audit of the Philadelphia Family Court
project; and
WHEREAS, To the extent the Auditor General does not have
clear authority to conduct such an audit, it could be
accomplished with the assistance of the judicial auditing
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agency; and
WHEREAS, The present situation with the Philadelphia Family
Court project is such that it requires a special audit be
performed to protect the public's financial interests in the
building project; therefore be it
RESOLVED, (the Senate concurring), That the House of
Representatives urge the Auditor General of the Commonwealth, in
conjunction with the judicial auditing agency of the
Commonwealth unified judicial system, to conduct a thorough
investigation and audit of expenditure of public funds for the
Philadelphia Family Court building project, the source of the
funds used in the project and the expenditures which have
already been made or approved in furtherance of the acquisition,
building and development of the Philadelphia Family Court; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the audit address the costs of any ongoing
efforts to build the Philadelphia Family Court building,
including any duplication in charges due to the change in the
parties involved in the construction project; and be it further
RESOLVED, That all contracts awarded absent a bidding process
and agreements which involved the exchange of public funds for
the construction of the Philadelphia Family Court building be
investigated and analyzed for any improprieties, duplications,
fraud or any other abuse of the public trust or misuse of public
funds; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Auditor General, with the assistance of
the judicial auditing agency, be urged to issue a report with
findings on the financial impact, value of services provided and
future additional expenditures which will be required to
complete the building project for the Philadelphia Family Court
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and to report to the General Assembly as soon as possible but no
later than one year following the adoption of this resolution.
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