Nebraska Editorial: Guardianship System Needs Improvement

State Auditor Mike Foley has exposed so much fraud and corruption in state government that his revelations have almost become a matter of routine.

His latest audit deserves a second and third look.

One reason is because once again criminal charges have been filed on the basis of alleged wrongdoing uncovered by his team of crack investigators.

Another reason is that his probe suggests that further action by lawmakers might be in order for the protection of disabled and elderly Nebraskans for whom a guardian is appointed.

The situation depicted by the audit of programs serving elderly, blind and disabled Nebraskans is atrocious.

In the sampling of cases studied by the auditor, investigators found that in more than a third of cases, the state Department of Health and Human Services was making payments that were unreasonable or in violation of state law and regulations.

Foley pointed out that taxpayer money was being squandered because of insufficient oversight.

As he also said in a news conference that it was far worse that HHS negligence was jeopardizing the welfare of some of Nebraska's most vulnerable elderly and disabled citizens.

The audit led to a felony charge being filed against Judith Widener of Gering, who was legal guardian for more than 600 people in 60 counties across the state. The audit alleged that Widener took about $35,000 from client accounts for her own personal use.

Widener should be presumed to be innocent until found guilty, but it's clear that Nebraska's handling of guardianships is ripe for reform.

Foley's audit makes clear that Nebraska's way of handling guardianships is flawed. Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln said after the audit that he is studying options for improvement. Reform of the guardianship system should be a legislative priority next year.

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Editorial:  Guardianship System Needs Improvement