Arkansas Department Of Health Wants Investigation Of Travel Expenses

The Arkansas Department of Health has contacted state and federal law enforcement to look into questionable money transfers in its AIDS division`s travel expenses. Officials say the funds could total 44 thousand dollars. Department officials believe the problems stem from either poorly documented expenses or misspent or stolen money. According to an e-mail sent from the Health Department to a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, authorities are investigating a travel account between the state Health Department and the not-for-profit organization Fort Smith Fights AIDS. The department reassigned two of its top AIDS division employees to other jobs after the investigation raised questions. However, department officials would not say why the reassignments were made. The Health Department said it also has started an independent audit of contracts within the AIDS division. The investigations come as budgeting difficulties forced the state Health Department to lay off nurses and nurses aides in local health units. Vacant positions also were eliminated. The money also goes missing as there are federal funding shortfalls for the state agency`s Arkansas AIDS Drug Assistance Program that have led to a waiting list for medication help.