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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Legislative auditors are checking into allegations of corruption within the Utah Department of Corrections.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported in a copyright story Saturday that the auditors were investigating claims that employees received special treatment because they were friends or family of the right people. There were also allegations of unfair treatment.
Department of Corrections executive director Scott Carver denied there was any wrongdoing, saying accusers were angry because they may have been passed over for promotion.
The Fraternal Order of Police's corrections chapter, which has long accused department leaders of unethical and perhaps illegal actions, requested the investigation.
State Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, confidentially requested the probe in February. A bipartisan committee of legislative leaders approved the audit, which is still in the early phase.
Legislative Auditor General John Schaff said auditors will need a few more months.
Kelly Atkinson, executive director of the Utah State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, said auditors should be able to prove whether there was nepotism and cronyism within the corrections department.
"They take care of each other's relatives and they don't let a few policies get in the way either," he said.
Atkinson and Carver have a history of run-ins and aren't on friendly terms.
Atkinson represents corrections employees in disciplinary matters. Atkinson said FOP represents about 200 corrections officers, most working for Adult Probation and Parole. About 2,400 officers work for the department.
Carver said he wasn't concerned with the audit. He has two sons and two nephews working for the department, but said they weren't hired because of the family.
"There has been absolutely no advantage being related to me and working here," Carver said.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
