Denver Auditors Denied Access To Gift Card Records

DENVER (AP) — Denver's auditor plans to sue to get records of how gift cards issued by the human services department were spent.

The department, which administers public assistance, gives cards to clients to buy food, clothing and household items. An audit released Thursday said the department claimed the records of who about who got the cards last year and how they were spent was confidential under state and federal law.

However, Auditor Dennis Gallagher says other counties, including some in Colorado, have interpreted those laws differently.

The department also is responsible for protecting abused and neglected children and adults. Gallagher says his office has been unable to do a review of that work because of confidentiality claims.

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