Citizens Calling for Forensic Audit of the Sports Park Not Limited in Scope

Fresh on the heels of BISD's so-called $250,000 forensic audit which some viewed as a carefully scoped witchhunt by Cata Presas-Garcia, the City of Brownsville is discussing a similar audit for the Brownsville Sports Park.

The need for such an audit has been clear to many locals for years.  No one familiar with construction costs, local real estate prices, the cost of infrastructure seems to see $36,000,000 worth on touring the facility.  What also seems to raise some eyebrows is the urgency with which  Commissioner Rose Gowen is pursuing an audit "now!"

A forensic audit could lead to serious changes in the way the city manages projects like this in the future as well as aid in the recovery of funds used fraudulently or contracts not fulfilled.  But, many I spoke to seem to agree on one thing:  they don't want the scope of the audit limited to protect wrongdoing.  Actually, when someone starts using the word scope when discussing an audit, the implication is they wish to exclude one aspect or another from the investigation.

Several people shared their thoughts and concerns about the proposed audit in private conversations with Mean Mister Brownsville.  None wanted their identify revealed.

"I don't know why there is a push to do an audit now," started one political operative.  "My guess is that it has to do with requesting federal funds.  Such funds were used on the sports park project.  If those funds were misused as many feel, it could affect requests for future funds.  On the other hand, if an audit "proves" responsible use of such federal funds, that could be an asset in getting funded down the line."

"If you're auditing a project properly, you start at the get-go,"  offered a Brownsville senior citizen.  "Why was this location selected?  What other locations were available and where were they located?  Did they have no infrastructure in place as well?"

"Look out for things the original contractors "forgot," do-overs, anything going outside the normal bidding process. Look out for any work performed by American Surveillance or any contractors friendly with Charlie Atkinson. It's a nice park for 12-15 million, but not 33.5 million. It's also too far out of town, but that ship has sailed. Poor planning, poor execution, poor project management."  Those were Mean Mister Brownsville's own words in response to a Brownsville Herald article.

One Brownsville resident claims some personal knowledge of abuses by commissioners with respect to mileage, meals and hotel charges.  He plans to take a close look at the audit results.