The Ritzville Adams County Journal - Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

After multiple fraud issues, including internal staff stealing taxpayer dollars, the Employment Security Department (ESD) is again coming under criticism from the State Auditors office for not having sufficient fraud protection measures and controls in place.

A new report, published December 6, 2021, by the State Auditor indicates that ESD’s “internal controls were inadequate to detect and prevent occupational misappropriation and safeguard public resources. We found the Department did not properly monitor and review claims to ensure benefit payments were legitimate and to avoid a loss...