The US Justice Department is being asked to investigate the state Office of Juvenile Affairs

Thursday, May 5th 2005, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Congressman Ernest Istook is asking the US Justice Department to investigate whether the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs used federal grant money improperly.

Istook sent a letter Wednesday to the department's inspector general that seeks an audit of the federal money involved.

Istook's request comes after a state audit found possible fraud and misspending at the agency.

He wrote that the audit found a lack of accountability, insufficient record keeping and improper management.

Istook's letter focused primarily on the use of Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grants, which states get from the Justice Department.

Moore state Representative Randy Terrill says $700,000 of the $1.8-million in questionable costs were reimbursements for fringe benefits, payroll taxes and workers' compensation payments.

Auditors say state contracts appear to bar the reimbursements and that they want the attorney general to settle the matter.