LINCOLN- State Auditor Mike Foley has questioned the handling of public dollars by a small nonprofit helping to manage the Niobrara Scenic River corridor. Among the eyebrow-rasing items described Wednesday by Foley is nearly $40,000 in unused leave pay that went to a top executive who had a purported two-decade-long perfect attendance streak.

According to the audit of the Valentine-based Niobrara Council, executive director Kalli Kieborz had not recorded the use of a single day of sock or vacation leave during a 21-year period. As compensation for that unused leave, she reportedly received nearly $40,000. Foley, however, noted Facebook posts from earlier this year depicting Kieborz ice-fishing at Valentine Refuge Lake during what appeared to be normal business hours.

"Even a baseball hall of fame great like Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripkin, Jr., known as the 'Iron Man,' could compile a record of only 17 years without missing a game," wrote Foley, "and he rested during the off-season!" The audit team said it received citizen complaints that the Niobrara Council office had been closed without explanation during working hours.

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