Illinois auditor cites errors in Lottery reports

Illinois’ auditor general says “material weaknesses” in the state Lottery’s internal financial controls have resulted in significant reporting errors.

Auditor General William Holland says an audit prepared by the accounting firm KPMG found repeated errors in reports submitted to the state lottery to the Illinois comptroller’s office.

Crain’s Chicago Business reports (http://tinyurl.com/pjox7en ) that the errors totaled about $200 million. As an example, a report had to be adjusted to decrease expenses by $106 million.

Holland says the mistakes potentially could have led the lottery and the state itself to issue incorrect financial statements.

Lottery Director Michael Jones says the “financial glitches” occurred when the lottery was becoming independent of the Illinois Department of Revenue, and have been fixed.

The report also says the lottery’s computer systems have inadequate security policies.