LINCOLN- According to a newly released statewide audit report, more than $21 million in questionable spending of federal pandemic funds was undertaken by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. State Auditor Mike Foley highlighted several suspect expenditures, including funds used for talent recruitment services for nursing homes.

Foley noted that the examples cited in the audit are "far from comprehensive," and said the mishandling of pandemic dollars is but a small part of ineffective oversight by DHHS. However, Foley said that he has faith that the newly confirmed DHHS CEO Steve Corsi can implement corrective action based on the findings of the audit.

"He inherited an agency with some major issues," said Foley, calling Corsi a "no-nonsense" kind of person. According to a statement released by Corsi responding to the findings, his intention is to correct internal safeguards on monitoring and using tax dollars. "DHHS can and will resolve these issues," he said, "We will do the work and make the changes necessary to ensure tax dollars are spent both wisely and appropriately."

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