§ 52:24-7 — Report malfeasance, etc., to Governor; Legislature, suspension of offender; hearing; removal.

52:24-7. The State Auditor shall report, forthwith, to the Governor and the presiding officer of each house of the Legislature any and all instances of malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance which may be disclosed by any audit or investigation of said accounts or by any performance review audit. Any State officer or employee charged with the custody of State funds whose accounts are found by the State Auditor to be inaccurate shall be automatically suspended from having any further connection with such funds until the audit is completed and the findings reported to the Governor and the presiding officer of each house of the Legislature. Immediately upon receipt of such report from the State Auditor, the Governor shall fix a time and place for hearing such charges as the State Auditor may bring by giving not less than five days' notice thereof in writing to such officer or head of a department so charged and to the State Auditor. After due hearing, he shall take such action as may be necessary, in his judgment, including the removal of any officer or head of a department found guilty of such charges or any of them, but if the right of removal in any case is vested exclusively in the Legislature, the Governor may suspend from further duty any such officer or head of a department so charged and shall transmit to the Legislature at the earliest possible date a written report of his findings with his recommendations thereon for consideration and action by the legislature. Amended 2006, c.82, s.3.