Urg I hate cases like that. A few years ago I took over at a council office in the uk (health and safety department), the girl that used to work there just stopped coming to work, so I got hired in as a temp (turned into a permanent post for a while tho).
I kid you not the piles of files and paperwork that was shoved BEHIND cabinets and desks and even under the filing cabinet! I burst into tears when I saw that mess. And then after 3 months of trying to catch up and finding out this girly had costed the council a fair few pounds due to negligence I went to my boss and said if they dont hire me an assistant Im leaving end of the month. Never got the assistant and I left - at least I didnt leave a mess like the previous chick.
Somedays Im glad Im not in an office where I have to rely on an admin person to help. Some of them are beyond useless and lazy. I prefer having work to do tho to twiddling thumbs Im BORED!