Audit Objective
Determine whether the Saratoga County (County) Probation Department (Department) officials enforced restitution orders, notified the court when a probationer violated the court order and disbursed victim restitution payments promptly and appropriately.
Key Findings
Department officials did not always properly enforce restitution orders, notify the court when a probationer violated the court order or disburse victim restitution payments appropriately. As a result, some victims may never receive the payments to which they are entitled.
- Officials did not establish adequate policies and procedures to enforce and monitor court order restitution obligations.
- 12 of the 30 restitution orders we reviewed had uncollected payments totaling $12,651.
- Officials did not make reasonable efforts to locate victims. For example, 238 outstanding checks totaling $22,279 were not properly followed up on as required.
In addition, officials did not make undisbursed restitution payments to victims or maintain sufficient undisbursed restitution records.
Key Recommendations
- Establish adequate policies and procedures for enforcing and monitoring restitution obligations.
- Provide meaningful oversight.
- Enforce and monitor restitution according to court orders and Department policies and procedures.
County officials generally agreed with our recommendations and indicated they will take corrective action.