TUSCUMBIA-On Friday, May 16 the Alabama’s Examiner of Public Accounts released the results of an audit at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. The audit was conducted for the years 2018 through 2024.
This audit had at least 24 area of non-compliance. The majority of charges were on undocumented or improper payments to vendors, laborers and musicians. Other expenses were found that included meals , massages and flowers were present on the Board of Directors’ credit card most benefiting Executive Director Sandra Burroughs. Burroughs had been placed on
Sandra Burroughs
administrative leave in March of this year.
There were g $114,637.38 in non-compliance charges most were shown to be done by Burroughs.
Sandra Burroughs appeared at a meeting before the Chief Examiner and submitted further evidence related to the
charges. As a result, relief in the amount of $49,917.40 was granted as evidenced by the Order of the Chief Examiner contained in this report. The amount of unrelieved charges totaling $64,719.98 remain due and unpaid and, as a result, the report will be certified to the Office of Attorney General for collection.
Other issues brought to attention were two of the seven boards members weren’t qualified to be selected in the first place, while all the artifacts and memorabilia gifted to them in the museum haven’t been insured since 2024. Sales tax from the gift shop was not collected after going unreported to the Department of Revenue.
It was also brought to light that over the six years the Board held only seven public meetings while 24 were the required number to date. Five of the seven meetings were held virtually without the knowledge of the Secretary of State or the being made known to the public at large.
According to sources the Board of Directors said the are committed to taking measures on the audits findings and will start the process in a public meeting to be held May 28, 2025. The Board says they will also solicit legal help from the Attorney General’s Office.
Copy of Audit can be found HERE
