Woonsocket auditors quit, mayor says council is to blame

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — A letter from city auditors in Woonsocket have cut ties, citing a lack of trust in the city and rampant ongoing delays.

As the city approaches the midway point of 2024, Woonsocket is still working on the audit for 2023’s budget.

The Woonsocket firm, Hague, Sahady & Co., says it has information on less than half of the things required; including major federal programs like the American Rescue Funding, Community Development Block Grants, and police and fire pension trust funds.

This delay comes as Woonsocket is still working through a major transition in its staffing following the resignation of Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt.

Council members have said her resignation continues to cast a long shadow.

“I know, oftentimes, people are saying, well why is it you’re always talking about the prior administration. But the effects of what she did, the damage she did to this city – though bragging about her accomplishments – can’t be overstated. It was significant, and it’s ongoing. And until we clear all of these matters, her name will frequently crop up,” said Council President John Ward.

But even with concerns from a previous administration, Woonsocket’s Mayor Chris Beauchamp said the blame falls to a contentious council meeting earlier this month.

“So I blame the council people that, frankly, were very disrespectful to them, and that’s why they left. And they said to me, if we didn’t have that meeting on May 22, they would still be our auditors. So take that for what it’s worth,” he said.

Wherever the blame lies, both Beauchamp and Ward were hoping to mend the divide between the auditors and the city.

However, Beauchamp said that won’t be happening.

“We’ll move in a new direction. I’ve got to work with the council for the remainder of my term and I will do that but I’m very disappointed that this is where we’re at.”

Now, Woonsocket will have to go to bid on a team to take over the audit, with no exact cost set for that right now.

Beauchamp says the former firm is willing to work with the city on the transition moving forward.