Inspector General Finds Weak Financial Controls at Montgomery County’s Recreation Department

Montgomery County’s Department of Recreation paid more than $5.8 million in invoices without adequate supporting documentation, according to a performance audit by the county’s Office of the Inspector General. The full report, Performance Audit of Recreation Activity (OIG Publication #27-04), is at https://assets.montgomerycountymd.gov/files/2026-10/Performance_Audit_of_Recreation_Activity.pdf.

The audit also found that the department still has not implemented formal policies and procedures for criminal background investigations, despite legal requirements and the inspector general’s earlier recommendations, according to the inspector general’s office. The county’s chief administrative officer concurred with all of the report’s recommendations, the office said. The inspector general’s announcement follows in full.

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OIG Finds Weak Financial Controls at the Department of Recreation

Rockville, Maryland – Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi announced today the release of a new report, Performance Audit of Recreation Activity, Department of Recreation, OIG Publication #27‑04, detailing the results of a comprehensive audit of the Montgomery County Department of Recreation (REC). https://assets.montgomerycountymd.gov/files/2026-10/Performance_Audit_of_Recreation_Activity.pdf The audit was conducted pursuant to the OIG’s mandate to review internal accounting processes and controls used by Executive Branch departments and examined REC’s financial transaction practices, contract oversight, purchasing card (p‑card) usage, and followed up on recommendations from a 2022 review of REC’s criminal background investigation practices.

The audit identified several deficiencies, among them that REC paid more than $5.8 million in invoices without adequate supporting documentation, including missing itemized totals, insufficient descriptions of services, and incorrect or unverifiable calculations. The OIG also determined that REC still has not implemented formal policies and procedures for conducting criminal background investigations, despite legal requirements and earlier OIG recommendations. Accordingly, the OIG issued multiple recommendations intended to address the identified deficiencies.

The County’s Chief Administrative Officer concurred with all recommendations and provided action plans to implement needed improvements.

Read the full report.

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