Press Release  Auditor Bump Commends Suffolk District Attorney for Financial Protections

Boston — Auditor Suzanne M. Bump today released an audit of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s (SCDA) Office, which found that the office took appropriate steps to protect revenue, expenditures and assets. The audit examined certain aspects of the SCDA’s operations between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2015.

“I commend District Attorney Conley and his staff for taking important steps to safeguard property and finances,” Bump said of the audit. “By implementing proper controls over there operations the office is helping to bolster public trust in our government institutions.”

The audit examined the policies and internal controls that the SCDA had in place for payment of certain non-personal expenditures, collection and expenditure of forfeited funds, and its inventory control for items such as computers, printers, copiers and fax machines. The audit found that SCDA had sufficient policies and controls in each of these areas.

For fiscal years 2014 and 2015, SCDA received state appropriations totaling $17,253,217 and $17,966,064, respectively, to fund its administrative operations.  In addition, during our audit period, SCDA deposited $1,681,131 in forfeited funds in its account with the Office of the State Treasurer (OST) and expended $778,309 from this account.

Prosecutors in the Suffolk County Narcotics and Asset Forfeiture Unit work to ensure that goods and funds are properly seized in order to prevent criminals from illegally profiting from narcotic distribution. Any proceeds resulting from drug distribution or any property that is used, or intended to be used, in illegal drug activity is subject to forfeiture to the Commonwealth. Funds are held by the police department that has seized the funds and are later distributed to SCDA upon receipt of a court order. SCDA is entitled to a 50 percent share of any assets forfeited by judgment. It deposits this share in a law-enforcement trust fund with the OST. The remaining 50 percent goes to the police agencies involved in the seizure.

“As prosecutors, we try not only to comply with best practices but to exceed them,” said District Attorney Daniel Conley. “We strive to serve the communities of Suffolk County with the highest level of efficiency and integrity, and I could not be more pleased by Auditor Bump’s recognition of these efforts.”

Bump’s office previously audited the SCDA in 2012 and reported that the agency had addressed previous deficiencies in their internal controls, specifically in the areas of risk reduction, and documentation of policies.

SCDA is one of 11 District Attorneys’ Offices in the Commonwealth. As of June 30, 2015, the office had approximately 280 employees, including prosecutors, assistant district attorneys, and administrative and program employees. District Attorneys’ Offices represent the Commonwealth in most criminal proceedings in the district courts, as well as indictment in the superior courts. District Attorneys’ Offices also represent the Commonwealth before grand juries and assist with the investigation of a variety of criminal activities as well as victim/witness assistance services. Further, District Attorneys’ Offices provide outreach services to local communities and schools, discussing topics such as bullying/harassment, Internet and cyber-safety programs, drugs and alcohol use, and domestic violence.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office audit is available here.

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