PORT ANGELES — Allegations of city employees improperly using or misappropriating public property in the city’s electric utility division are being reviewed by city and Clallam County officials following an investigation by the State Patrol, according to a statement by city officials.
The State Patrol determined that no criminal activity occurred as the result of employees salvaging scrap metal, according to a Dec. 17 summary of the investigation obtained by Peninsula Daily News.
Detectives interviewed 14 current and former city employees for their report, which also reviewed allegations of city employees using city tools and discarded city power poles for their own ends.
“Statements made by many indicate that policies were not always adhered to or were generally lacking, or upper management was aware of employee conduct but looked the other way,” according to the investigation summary.
The report has been referred to county Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols, who will make a final determination on the filing of charges, according to the city statement, which was written by Senior Assistant City Attorney Heidi Greenwood and issued by City Clerk Jennifer Veneklasen late Monday afternoon.
Nichols was unavailable for comment this morning.
“From what it looks like, nobody profited personally, and most of the materials were things that most people would have thrown in the garbage,” Public Works and Utilities Director Craig Fulton said this morning.
He said that no employees have been disciplined as a result of the State Patrol investigation while the city further reviews the agency’s summary.
City Manager Dan McKeen requested the State Patrol’s assistance for the investigation, according to the statement.
Below are excerpts from the city statement:
“The report did uncover a number of issues that are of concern to the city.
“First, the State Patrol found that city employees may have used city tools and equipment in their off-hours for personal projects.
“Second, the report found that city employees had taken, for their own use, city power poles that would have otherwise been sent to the landfill.
“Third, the investigation revealed that employees from the city Light Operations Division had an account at a local bank that was, at least in part, funded by proceeds from recycling spent fuses that would otherwise have been thrown away.
“Fourth, the report found that some employees propagated rumors that the account had funded the education of an employee’s children.
“The State Patrol discovered that the rumor may have started as a ruse or joke.
“Finally, the report concluded that some city employees were evasive and misled the investigators.”
“City officials are reviewing the report and the conduct of employees during the investigation.
“The city will determine the next steps to address both the findings of the investigation report and any inappropriate conduct.
“Additionally, the city has reviewed and updated city policies and procedures and will analyze whether additional steps are needed.”
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
