The state attorney general's office is requesting a criminal investigation of a former Department of Transportation treasurer after internal audits raised questions about the agency's accounting and spending.

Russ Willard of the Attorney General's office says the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been asked to look into the case of Earl Mahfuz. The GBI did not immediately respond to calls Friday seeking comment.

The audit said Mahfuz instructed transportation officials to stop recording contracts before the end of the 2008 fiscal year to help mask a deficit. The unrecorded contracts totaled more than $150 million.

DOT officials told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that they did not believe the department or Mahfuz was guilty of wrongdoing.

Tags: Georgia, Department of Transportation, Attorney General, treasurer, Earl Mahfuz, criminal investigation