RIDGECREST — Two auditors from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office began their financial audit into the Town of Ridgecrest Tuesday.

Mayor Dwayne Sikes said he gladly welcomed the auditors Tuesday morning and began providing them with information right away.

“We didn’t know when they were coming, but I’m just glad it happened before the first of the year,” Sikes said. “They still have a long way to go, but I’m just glad they’re here.”

Sikes said he provided the auditors with paperwork as far back as 2008 and also gave them access to the town’s two bank accounts at Concordia Bank and Delta Bank in Ferriday.

The newly-appointed mayor said he was also looking into the possibility of a bank account at Tensas Bank that he was not sure was still active.

During a special town hall meeting Nov. 28, Sikes said 10 of the town’s 12 certificates of deposits amounting to $52,072.52 were closed in 2010 without authorization or knowledge of the town council. An audit conducted by Silas Simmons, a certified public accounting and consulting firm in Natchez, indicated that $25,399 of the town’s money was unaccounted for in its 2010 budget.

In early November, former Mayor Kevin Graham resigned and town clerk Dana DeLaughter was then placed on administrative leave without pay.

Sikes was sworn in as mayor following Graham’s resignation and said he has always been in favor of an investigation.

“I’ve been wanting this town hall audited for a long time,” Sikes said. “It’ll be a big relief when they’re done.”