Show Place Gets Audit

An anonymous tip has led to an audit at Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md.

The audit, conducted by Prince George’s County, calls into question more than $1 million in spending at the publicly owned arena, according to the Washington Post.

The paper focused on more than $200,000 in expenditures authorized by GM William Chambers. Auditors singled out use of his official car, pay to businesses and community groups, and pay he received when he was not working, according to the paper.

Chambers has adamantly denied wrongdoing, and he along with his staff have received support from Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., the paper said. Chambers told the Post he believes the audit is part of an internal power struggle over control of the venue.

The audit began over the summer after the arena’s parent agency, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, received an anonymous tip. One of the alleged discrepancies unearthed by the audit was $28,000 paid to Chambers, who is a school board president, on days he attended school board meetings.

Chambers told the Post he always took leave when attending the meetings and took the company car because he often engaged in venue-related business on the trips. He added that he was baffled by the turn of events, considering he has received excellent reviews.