Auditors for the Patchogue-Medford School District announced Thursday that the district is facing a $4 million deficit caused by a myriad of internal problems.

The results were presented at a special school board meeting. Auditors say sloppy bookkeeping, poor internal controls, misappropriations of funds and possible criminal conduct are to blame for the deficit. Superintendent Michael Mostow said the administration made its decisions based on false information given by its now defunct former accounting firm. However, Mostow added that the accounting firm only works with the numbers given to it and that someone inside the district is responsible for making up the information.

Auditors say the sloppy bookkeeping also applied to state and federal grants, which supplies the district with millions of dollars each year. The state comptroller's office and the district attorney are each conducting an investigation. Mostow said the district might have to ask the state for funding, which would require special legislation in Albany.

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