By Katie Teachout
The Journal 

Auditor's office reviews citizen's complaints

 

Last updated 5/4/2021 at 11:43am



RITZVILLE – Adams County Commissioners heard from the Washington State Auditor's office April 26, after a citizen voiced several complaints about the Adams County Sheriff's office.

Sean Bates of Othello contacted the State Auditor's Office Citizen Hotline with concerns about alleged selling of forfeited homes and personal property before the statutorily allowed time in order to benefit the department; an employee's wife allegedly purchasing a vehicle from the seized vehicles/drug-forfeited vehicles pool without the proper procedure being followed; and cars and properties allegedly being seized and sold before citizens had the opportunity to write letters in defense of their claim to ownership. Bates also claimed in one instance, the notice of seizure was delivered the same day as the hearing.

In a letter dated April 26, Brad White, audit manager with the state auditor's office said documentation from the sheriff's office was reviewed to address all Bates's concerns. Regarding alleged violations of RCW 42.23.070 during the sale of forfeited vehicles, White said the names of purchasers were compared to a list of sheriff's office employees as well as relatives of employees, and found one vehicle sold to a relative. White said the recommendation was made to the county and sheriff's department to improve controls over seized and forfeited assets by ensuring assets are sold in a fair, transparent and public manner to avoid any actual or appearance that county employees or their relatives receive special treatment.

Regarding reported concerns of ownership of a Kimber .380 and disposal of the weapon, White said according to the Washington Deparment of Licensing's firearms database, the gun belonged to someone who was prohibited from owning a firearm, as a convicted felon. White reported disposal of the firearm followed all requirements of the law.

Regarding the expressed concern of the date of an order on forfeiture default being prior to the 45 day deadline, White responded the order listed the incorrect year due to a typographical error. The order stated the claimant did not submit a claim of ownership in time and ownership of the property was transferred to the sheriff's office. White said regardless of the typographical error, the community member had the legally required 45 days to make claim of ownership. White said the forfeiture complied with legal requirements, but recommended to the county and sheriff's office they improve controls over seized and forfeited assets by performing a secondary review of documents to ensure accuracy.

Regarding the claim a notice of seizure was delivered the same day as the hearing, White reported the letter was dated the same day as the hearing; however the claimant signed receipt of the letter a week prior, and the claimant attended the hearing; therefore the claimant was notified in advance of the change in the hearing date.

Regarding Bates' expressed concern real estate seizures wee not handled properly, White said they identfied three land parcels forfeited and sold from August 2017 to February 2021. White said the determination was made the statutory requirements were met, and no matches were made identifying sheriff's department employees as the purchasers.

Author Bio

Katie Teachout, Editor

Katie Teachout is the editor of The Ritzville Adams County Journal. Previously, she worked as a reporter at The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, the Oroville Gazette-Tribune, Northern Kittitas County Tribune and the Methow Valley News. She is a graduate of Western Washington University.

 

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