Audit Raises Concerns At Hampshire Superior Court

A state audit is raising concerns about the security of evidence at Hampshire Superior Court.

State Auditor Suzanne Bump said the clerk's office failed to keep a centralized evidence log identifying the location of the evidence in its control and maintained "deficient physical security" of evidence including cash, weapons, and drugs, with most items stored during business hours in a cabinet in an unlocked room.

The audit also found some probationers' monthly supervision fees were improperly waived in exchange for community service and that probation officers lacked a consistent method of tracking that service.

Hampshire Superior Court clerk Harry Jekanowski said in a written response that he's requested a safe to secure evidence, but called a centralized evidence log "unnecessary and duplicative," saying the current system has worked well for 30 years.