WAYNE COUNTY — Officials in Wayne County are asking that the audit into the costly and controversial jail project here is released.  However, County Prosecutor Kim Worthy doesn’t want details of the audit to be made public, until her investigation into it is complete. 

Worthy is investigating whether information on the actual cost of the jail was withheld from county commissioners at the time the project was approved. 

Kym Worthy.

According to a report, Worthy has already met with the FBI, regarding her investigation into the jail. 

Ray Basham (D-Taylor), chair of the Wayne County Audit Committee, says he’s concerned that the extensive audit that was conducted recently on the failed jail project is not being made public. In an interview with local news, Basham said, “It’s my understanding that they’ve not given answers back to the auditor.  To not give the audit chair or the audit committee that same information, or the public, I think, is wrong.” 

Audit General Willie Mayo is expected to turn over any of his findings to Worthy, as he suspects illegal activity did occurr. Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano stopped construction on the jail project after it was $91 million over budget. 

In a letter to Mayo, Worthy urged him not to disclose the report to County officials. Bashem noted that the auditor has already met with members of Ficano’s Administration, because auditors must give them a chance to respond to the findings, before they are finalized. 

Worthy’s office has considered releasing portions of the report, on the basis that it doesn’t intervene with its investigation.