Premium

Auditors arrive at MSCS looking for fraud in high-stakes probe

By , Daily Memphian Updated: August 13, 2025 5:50 AM CT | Published: August 12, 2025 3:48 PM CT

A state-funded forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools is set to review the three fiscal years when an additional $850 million flooded the district’s coffers.

The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury selected national accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen LLP to conduct the audit, according to materials obtained through a public records request. 

Firm staff arrived in Memphis on Monday, Aug. 11, to begin talking with the school system about the forensic audit, which is meant to identify instances of fraud, waste and abuse and to evaluate the district’s internal controls.

This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.

Topics

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Tennessee Comptroller Subscriber Only

Thank you for supporting local journalism.

Subscribers to The Daily Memphian help fund our not-for-profit newsroom of nearly 40 local journalists plus more than 20 freelancers, all of whom work around the clock to cover the issues impacting our community. Subscriptions - and donations - also help fund our community access programs which provide free access to K-12 schools, community organizations, and more. Thank you for making our work possible.

Laura Testino

Laura Testino

Laura Testino is an enterprise reporter who writes about how public policy shapes Memphis. She is currently reporting from Frayser about education and housing. Please write her with your suggestions and story tips.


Comments

Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here