Arizona’s Auditor General has found that the state liquor department did not follow its own rules on conflicts of interest.
A new report says the agency that enforces alcohol regulations started developing a conflict-of-interest process while under review.
Results in the 58-page review of the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control are not flattering.
State auditors found that the department put public money at risk of being stolen. Some payments mailed in were not properly logged, recorded or deposited in a timely way.
They also found that the department doesn’t have set time frames for resolving complaints that require discipline, and it failed to document why penalty guidelines weren’t followed.
The department director agreed with all findings, promised to implement all recommendations, and wrote that he’s working to change the department’s philosophy to pro business and open commerce.
