Wake County Commissioners approved an extended audit Monday after a Wake County employee was fired for allegedly using county money for trips to vacation destinations.

Last month Craig P. Wittig was fired after allegedly taking at least 50 trips between April 2004 and June 3 on the county's credit card.

Wittig was the recycling program manager for the solid waste management division.

His boss, Solid Waste Management Director James Reynolds, was demoted. He signed off on Wittig's travel expenses.

For the audit, key employees would be interviewed, the policy for procurement cards (or pcards, credit cards used by county employees) and other policies would be reviewed and there would be a two-year review for the Environmental Services Department.

The County will also look at more formal ways to regulate the use of pcards. That could include employees signing specific statements of what the card is to be used for and more internal monitoring of money being spent.

The audit will do a one-year review of all other departments. It's expected to cost between $125,000 and $150,000.

County Manager David Cooke said the investigation is ongoing and other actions may be taken against personal, including Reynolds.