A check of 128 current audit reports from South Dakota cities shows that 87 of them contained a finding of a lack of proper segregation of financial duties.

Many of the cities had been flagged for the problem numerous years in a row. Most cited were small towns.

In towns, control often goes to a lone finance officer -- sometimes a part-time employee with little or no training. And, there's no oversight.

Auditors warn against such a practice by issuing a finding described as a "lack of proper segregation of duties."

Asked why many small towns don't install safeguards, Veblen Mayor LaVonne Jacobson said it's probably because of a sense of trust in small towns.

In Veblen, a former finance officer was convicted and jailed for taking nearly $150,000 between 1995 and 2001.

Jacobson says she and other city leaders now pay much more attention to Veblen's finances.

The check of the audit reports was conducted by the Daily Republic of Mitchell.