Audit finds VisitPittsburgh lacks in transparency, mixed public and private funding

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The group charged with selling tourism and bringing conventions to Pittsburgh lacks transparency and accountability, in accordance the findings of a Allegheny County Controller’s launched Thursday. 

The audit stated VisitPittsburgh denied county auditors entry to the salaries of a lot of its workers and co-mingled non-public and public funds, making it unimaginable for the controller to find out their effectiveness. 

“VisitPITTSBURGH failed to offer knowledge relevant to its compensation prices that we requested. We view this lake of transparency as a serious trigger for concern,” the report stated.

The audit regarded on the time interval from Jan. 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2022.

The audit’s findings additionally embody, in response to the County Controller’s workplace

• Key native stakeholders usually are not being adequately represented on the group’s Board of Administrators,
• Lodge tax {dollars} haven’t been accounted for as restricted revenues as required,
• The group’s accounting data don’t clearly determine how resort tax {dollars} have been spent,
• A misallocation of personnel assets,
• Reserves being maintained by the group usually are not cheap,
• And, the improper recording of occasion subsidy liabilities.

The County Controller’s report is urging VisitPittsburgh to place “a larger deal with value management.” They’re additionally asking that the group present detailed wage info for his or her total workers and to place in place a coverage to offer “correct” info on its actions to stakeholders.

Learn the total report right here:

The group has lengthy come beneath hearth for failing to fill the David L. Lawrence Conference Middle and selling tourism within the area. 

State Sen. Wayne Fontana is looking for its reorganization.