An official at Piedmont Community College submitted a fake receipt for $1,647 in travel expenses, sent staffers' families to retreats and improperly provided benefits to her son and daughter-in-law at the college's expense, the state auditor's office said today.

An audit report focused on the actions of the director of the college's Educational Opportunity Center.

The report and an accompanying news release did not name the director but said she had resigned effective March 31. Results of the investigation regarding the fake receipt have been forwarded to prosecutors, state Auditor Leslie Merritt said.

The Educational Opportunity Center provides counseling and information about admissions to prospective students. It is part federal program designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Piedmont Community College has offices in Roxboro and Yanceyville.

The audit found that the center's director:

- Submitted a fictitious receipt for reimbursement of $1,647.

- Allowed ineligible family members of staffers to attend retreats at a cost of $7,669 in federal funds.

- Included her son and daughter-in-law as participants in an EOC program, without documenting their eligibility.

- Provided a cell phone to her son at a cost of more than $1,700 in federal funds.

The college has agreed to reimburse the federal government $7,669 for the retreats, college President H. James Owen said in a letter to Merritt.

The college also ordered the return of cell phones, which will be reissued to assigned personnel for business use only, Owen said.

Officials also are taking steps to make sure only those eligible are participating in the Educational Opportunity Center programs, he said.