Officials with the Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency, which lost close to $700,000 in fraudulent payouts, will have to explain the negative audit findings associated with those transactions when their agency is called to a hearing on Oct. 13 with the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee.
The early release of the Arkansas Legislative Audit report revealed several discrepancies in the city of Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department including one outlay of more than $500,000 when it comes to internal control over financial reporting and compliance.
On Wednesday, Pine Bluff suffered another tragedy. Maurice Taggart and his son, Justice Taggart, were said by police to be struggling over a gun when both were shot. The elder Taggart, age 43, died. The son was taken to the hospital where he was listed in stable condition.