Mercer County controller Stephen Sherman II and commissioner Tim McGonigle had a terse exchange during Thursday's regular commissioners meeting.

McGonigle says he got left out of the loop after Sherman signed off on extra compensation to two staffers to the tune of about $6,000.
They got paid extra for their work on a special project to implement new software. Sherman says his intent was to save the county money and that the compensation fell within budget.

Now, county district attorney Pete Acker is investigating.

"There are five other counties in Pennsylvania that are doing the same thing," Sherman said, "and they're utilizing the additional compensation structure as well."

Sherman claims he's been transparent and told commissioners Ann Coleman and Bill Finley about his plans.
McGonigle says the new commissioners didn't know that a matter like this demands a salary board hearing.
Coleman and Finley reportedly took back their support of the compensation in light of that revelation.

"When this decision was made, it was called an emergency. Well, the commissioners get to declare emergencies in our county, no one else," said McGonigle. "So if there was an emergency, I certainly should've known about it, and I didn't."

According to Sherman, the work fell outside of the staffers' job descriptions.
McGonigle says those workers are subject to "...any additional duties as assigned".

Sherman now blames McGonigle for slowing the software project, potentially racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional costs.

The back-and-forth doesn't stop there.
McGonigle says HR uncovered the discrepancies.
Sherman says his office was aware of everything since it processes payroll - and shares that with HR.

We expect the results of DA Pete Acker's investigation within the next couple days.