AUGUSTA — The state is continuing to investigate the finances at four state cultural agencies, and will release a report next month that further details “significant” instances where money was spent inappropriately, State Controller Ed Karass said Thursday.

“We’re in the process of wrapping up the second phase of the audit and will be bringing forward significant findings to the commissioner and the head of the four cultural agencies,” Karass told members of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

Karass and Commissioner Rebecca Wyke, who leads the state’s financial office, briefed the committee on findings of an audit released last month that concluded that the agencies misspent $4,000.

The audit examined the relationship between the agencies — the Maine Arts Commission, Maine State Library, Maine State Museum and Maine Historic Preservation Commission — and a nonprofit called the Maine Community Cultural Alliance.