The health district’s policies allows employees to carry over a maximum of 30 hours of annual leave to the following year. When McDonnell’s contract with the health district ended on June 30, 2013, he was paid for 946 hours of leave instead of 496 hours which resulted in an erroneous overpayment, according to the state auditor’s office.
McDonell’s hourly rate at the time was $65.29 per hour.
The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office contacted McDonnell last week seeking repayment of the funds, said Elizabeth Ellis, the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office civil division chief.
“I am optimistic that this will result in the money being repaid,” she said.
McDonnell could have up to 60 days to repay the funds. If he does not repay the funds, he could be subject to criminal prosecution, Ellis said.
McDonnell could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
In addition to McDonnell, Nancy Terwood, who was then the board of health president and approved the payment, is also being held liable and responsible for repayment of the money as required under state law, according to the state auditor’s report.
The overpayment was discovered during a routine annual audit of the agency’s 2013 records, according to health district officials.
“It was just a mistake,” said Laurie Fox, the public information officer for the health district.
Health district officials said the agency’s policies have been revised to ensure that all employees are following the same rules and regulations. Melissa Howell, the Greene County Combined Health District health commissioner, said an addendum to her contract with the change was issued last year as a result of the erroneous payment to her predecessor.
“In my contract, it states now that all of the board’s policies will apply to me just like they apply to everyone else unless the policy specifies otherwise or there something written into the contract that would be different,” she said.
Howell assumed the role of health commissioner in May 2013.
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