Dive Summary:

• New Jersey's comptroller release an audit of NJ Shares, a nonprofit program that provides utility-bill help to households experiencing financial difficulties.
• The audit found that more than one third of the sample group lacked proper documentation to verify the incomes of all household applicants; the comptroller also found excessive expenditures and questioned the security of the program's web-based intake system.
• NJ Shares did not agree with all of the report's findings, but said they were working with state officials to improve oversight and administration of the program.

From the article:

The report also questioned several charges for promotional or community-outreach events that included catered events at NHL New Jersey Devils games, trips to Atlantic City, eight restaurant charges each exceeding $1,000, and a bill for alcohol that topped $3,000.

"The number of errors and the nature of some of the errors could indicate an intent to hide certain transactions," the report said. ...