Lake City forensic audit results to go public in December, administrator says

LAKE CITY, S.C. (WBTW) -- A forensic audit of Lake City's troubled finances is expected to be completed for public review by the middle of December, Town Administrator Malik Whitaker said.

"A forensic audit is a detailed, investigative review of a city's finances. It checks that every transaction -- payroll, grants, contracts and payments -- is properly documented and follows the law," Whitaker said in a Facebook post. "It's about clarity, accountability and strengthening how we operate."

Whitaker said the audit -- which is being conducted by Eide Bailly LLP and Brandon Waldron -- should be ready as a draft report by Dec. 2 and presented for final review to the town council Dec. 9.

Testing has already been completed in the town's payroll and grants departments, and missing statements fr