PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday that an audit of the West Warwick Housing Authority found that more than $2 million in “procurements” lacked proper documentation.

Stephen O’Rourke, who started last January as the authority’s new executive director, was not in charge during the audit period, Jan. 1, 2012, through June 30, 2016. He said Wednesday that many files were thrown out by an outside consultant, D&V Mainsail, that was brought in three years ago to run the authority. He added that HUD’s issues revolve around “paper pushing” instead of allegations that any theft took place.

The announcement from HUD’s Office of Inspector General said the accounting deficiencies were raised during an audit of the authority’s administration of the Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs.

These two programs “did not operate in compliance with HUD requirements due to a lack of policies and procedures and inadequately trained staff,” the HUD announcement added. “In addition, its credit card charges and petty cash purchases were not supported and its assets were not protected.”...