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First an audit reveals mis handled funds at the Dorchester County jail, now a second audit of a separate department raises concerns about taxpayer dollars and has one candidate running for auditor upset.

Less than two months from now, Dorchester County voters head to the polls. Campaigning well underway but now there's new controversy. "If she's innocent it needs to come out because it's politicking time," said Romie Simmons, who owns Simmons Barber Shop in Summerville.

The timing, exactly what Teresa Smoak Messex is questioning. Messex, who is running for auditor, has been suspended from her work as a clerk. County Auditor Brenda Nix claims Messex did not follow procedure on a potential mobile home sale prompting her to request an audit. Nix is also asking that nearly a year of transactions be reviewed, after she says she found cases of employees giving discounts on personal property taxes.

"We're hoping it's not there and it's just some minor infractions on what should be done and some technical things that need to be corrected and if it's anything larger than that, we'll deal with it when we get to it," said Dorchester County Councilman Mike Murphree.

Messex wouldn't talk on camera, but tells us the policy she's been accused of violating doesn't exist. A former auditor for the county also confirmed to us, there was no specific procedure to have been breached. Messex says she's convinced the action against her is intended to hurt her campaign. Simmons, who's watched Dorchester County politics unfold for the last 50 years, says it's time to clean up any confusion. He supports the audit, though it may come at a cost. "It is a possibility, anything's possible this day and time, that somebody could have something against somebody else," said Simmons.

Nix did not return our phone calls. The county administrator says her request for an audit is within her authority and not unusual considering she came into office late last year and has not yet had an audit of the books, which is something new elected officials normally do.

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