Escambia Calls For Full Audit Of Pensacola Chamber Use Of County Funds

March 7, 2013

The finances of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce are coming under scrutiny over a BP gift card program.

An independent audit found possible “irregularities” in a $2.4 million gift card program paid for by BP over the last couple of years.

Now, Escambia County wants a full audit of all county funds sent to the chamber.

“Escambia County was made aware of a situation at the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce from Chamber President and CEO Jim Hizer. The County has turned this matter over to the office of Pam Childers, Escambia County Clerk of Court, and has requested a full audit review of Chamber funds received from Escambia County,” Escambia County said in a prepared statement issued Wednesday evening.

The gift cards have been given out by the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Perdido Key Chamber and Visit Pensacola since 2011 as part of the BP program.

The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce will hold a special meeting on Friday to look at the independent audit results.

Comments

6 Responses to “Escambia Calls For Full Audit Of Pensacola Chamber Use Of County Funds”

  1. David Lamb on March 7th, 2013 10:31 pm

    Didnt they push hard for the LBC sale?

  2. Ben on March 7th, 2013 10:31 am

    Tommy,

    What does Ashton have to do with this?

  3. William on March 7th, 2013 8:03 am

    >>. the Chamber sure called this “special meeting” so qucikly………will the audit even be finished by tomorrow, since it seems that the request of an audit was JUST turned over to Ms. Childers’ Office?

    You didn’t quite follow the story….an independent audit found problems, and now Escambia County wants a specific audit on where their money went. The meeting on Friday will look at the independent audit (the first audit), not Escambia County’s audit. :)

  4. cat on March 7th, 2013 7:16 am

    “The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce will hold a special meeting on Friday to look at the independent audit results”.
    Seems odd to me that the Chamber sure called this “special meeting” so qucikly………will the audit even be finished by tomorrow, since it seems that the request of an audit was JUST turned over to Ms. Childers’ Office?
    Sounds to me like the meeting might be more of a CYA meeting (Cover Your Agency)!!!

  5. c.w. on March 7th, 2013 5:08 am

    Has Escambia Co. been taking lessons from Crookalossa Co.? To much money and to many thiefs claiming to be politicians looking out for the tax payers. Now comes the song and dance from them and a lot of finger pointing and blaming someone else. LOL

  6. Tommy on March 7th, 2013 12:49 am

    Nice to know ya, Ashton.