Misappropriation of Public Funds

ISU and Bannock County misuse one time appropriations.

Recently, my husband took me to see the Dietrich Bonhoeffer movie. I have always been inspired by his life story and his unwavering dedication to acting on truth. I strongly believe in his principle: 'Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.'

I have always said: What good are laws if they are ignored? It’s time to expose corruption if we ever hope to achieve meaningful tax relief for Idahoans. We must put an end to the waste and misuse of your hard-earned money.

As I discuss these issues with others in government, it inspires them to come forward with examples of misappropriation. For instance, $10 million was misused by Health and Welfare. Today, I am sending out another press release, with the support of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, exposing $853,700 in misappropriated funds by Idaho State University and Bannock County.

Read article from Idaho Freedom Foundation HERE.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2024

Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld Calls for Accountability in Misappropriation of Public Funds by ISU and Bannock County

BOISE, Idaho —Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld (District 24) is demanding accountability following revelations of the misappropriation of $853,700 in state funds intended for the now-defunct East Idaho Forensic Pathology Center (EIFPC) project. Investigations by the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) and Pocatello for Accountable Government Entities (PAGE) revealed that Idaho State University (ISU) transferred the funds to Bannock County, bypassing the requirement to return unspent appropriations to the state. These funds appeared to be unlawfully retained and misused, violating legislative requirements and betraying public trust.

“Taxpayer dollars are sacred and must be spent as intended by law,” said Senator Zuiderveld. “The actions by Bannock County and ISU officials show blatant disregard for the legislative process and the trust placed in them by Idaho citizens. This cannot go unanswered.”

Senator Zuiderveld’s Demands:

1. Accountability for Misappropriation:
   Senator Zuiderveld calls for clear accountability measures to address the violations committed by ISU and Bannock County officials.

2. Comprehensive Investigation by the Attorney General:
   She urges the Idaho Attorney General’s office to launch a full investigation into the actions of both entities to determine the extent of the misconduct and bring any responsible parties to justice.

3. Immediate Return of Funds to the General Fund:
   The senator demands the immediate return of the full $853,700 to the state’s general fund, as the law required unspent funds to be reverted to the state.

4. Legislative Audit of One-Time Appropriations:
   To prevent future misuse of taxpayer dollars, Senator Zuiderveld calls on the Idaho Legislature to audit all one-time appropriations to ensure compliance with state laws and confirm that funds are spent as intended.

Background:

In 2022, the Idaho Legislature appropriated $900,000 for operating expenses related to the EIFPC, with the stipulation that all funds must be spent on the project by June 30, 2023, or reverted to the state. Instead of returning the unspent funds as required, Idaho State University (ISU) transferred the funds to Bannock County, bypassing the requirement to return unspent appropriations to the state. Bannock County then retained and misused the funds for unrelated expenditures—currently, only $638,318 remains in the account. The issue first came to light when Bannock County Commissioner John Crowder raised concerns in a recent public meeting about the potential mismanagement of these taxpayer dollars.

Senator Zuiderveld’s Statement:

This is not just about a failure to follow procedure—it’s about a betrayal of public trust," said Senator Zuiderveld. "As your senator, I am committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer funds. Those responsible for this malfeasance must answer for their actions, and we must take swift action to restore confidence in our government."

Senator Zuiderveld emphasized the importance of safeguarding taxpayer interests and ensuring strong financial stewardship in the state. "This is non-negotiable," she concluded.