Indiana BMV chief to appear before lawmakers

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The head of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is set to explain changes the agency has made after an audit found problems as it overcharged motorists millions of dollars in fees.

Commissioner Kent Abernathy is scheduled to appear before a state legislative panel Thursday to describe the changes to lawmakers.

An independent audit released last spring found a lack of oversight at the agency while it overcharged motorists at least $60 million in recent years.

The agency has found itself under scrutiny in recent months after lawsuits and newspaper reports about mismanagement.

The BMV demoted and replaced its chief financial officer this summer amid questions about his qualifications and whether patronage played a role in him getting the job.

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This story deletes an incorrect reference that agency CFO Jeff Moon stepped down in August. Moon was hired at that time as the new CFO.