Kearney hosts public forum in JFS audits

Concerned by two audits recently released by state agancies that have been critical of Hamilton County's Department of Job & Family Services, state Sen. Eric Kearney, D-Cincinnati, is holding a Wednesday public forum.

The forum, to focus on questions about the audits, will be 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave.

The audits -- neither finding criminal wrongdoing and both stating that no money was missing -- were from the:

* Ohio Auditor, who noted more than $150 million was improperly transferred from the fund that pays for services to poor children, and;

* Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, which called for Hamilton COunty to repay $225 million -- that was spent on providing services to poor children and families -- to the federal government.

Hamilton County officials insist they did nothing wrong and actually were adhering to state and federal guidelines when spending the money.