State Auditor

State Auditor

The Auditor ensures that state and local governments are accountable to the public, by auditing all public accounts, including all state agencies, boards, and commissions, all cities, counties, schools districts, public colleges and universities, ports, and special purpose districts. The Auditor also administers the Whistleblower Act, and investigates citizens’ reports of government impropriety. There is a large staff to oversee budgeting, accounting, and reporting systems statewide. And more, of course.

The outgoing incumbent, Troy Kelley, has been a major embarrassment. He took a leave of absence to face a number of trials, which are still ongoing, on theft and money laundering charges. Not a high recommendation for an auditor. Time to move on.

I see two parts to the Auditor’s job. One is the nuts and bolts of bookkeeping and making sure all the numbers line up. The other is to dig into those numbers and make sure they were not doctored to line up. While Pat McCarthy sounds like a good numbers person, and Mark Wilson seems to have a very specific agenda, Jeff Sprung has the background for both the numbers and the legal nuances of how those numbers got there. I’ll be voting for Jeff Sprung.

The candidates:

 Pat (Patrice) McCarthy        D         pat@patmacarthy.org

http://www.patmccarthy.org/

currently Pierce County Executive previously Pierce County Auditor

Her website does not give any information on issues. Many big names support her, for what that’s worth.

 Mark Miloscia          R         miloscia@comcast.n

http://www.markmiloscia.com/

education: Air Force Academy BS in engineering, University of North Dakota MBA, Chapman University MA in clinical psychology.

“Straight talk. No nonsense.”

Former 7 term state rep. Currently in state senate. Former substitute teacher. Also former Dem until 2014. Says he changed parties because Dems no longer tolerate his socially conservative views. Believes Auditor should be non-partisan. Wants to “erase the shame and embarrassment” caused by former auditor Troy Kelley. Seems to have no specific issue other than that. He stands accused by a competing candidate of having attempted to gut the Auditor’s budget.

Jeff Sprung   D         info@jeffsprung.com   206-931-8008

education: University of Chicago Law

Served 5 years as Assistant US Attorney in US Justice Dept.

 “Fighter for whistleblowers, consumers, and workers, unafraid to take on some of the country’s largest corporations.”. Serves on boards of Planned Parenthood and The Hanford Challenge (an environmental organization)

As other candidates, he wants to return integrity to the Auditor’s office, which took a serious hit under Troy Kelley. His primary agenda item will be to identify and stop fraud and abuse. To do that he would institute information processing systems and risk assessments. He wants to help oversee Hanford cleanup, which has been a many decades long boondoggle. He is the only candidate who has actually performed financial audits.

Endorsed by FUSE Progressive Voters.

 Mark Wilson             Independent  mark@wilson-4-auditor.

http://www.wilson-4-auditor.com/

managing director, Wilson Accounting & Consulting LLC

education: MBA in Financial Management

He says he’s the only candidate with the qualifications to be auditor. He believes the position should not be political

Issues:

State agency compliance and performance

State contractors and vendors compliance

Vendor fraud

Department of Corrections

Cyber security in state offices

Port of Seattle

State and regional whistleblower programs

Western State Hospital

The Washington Health Care Authority

Department of Transportation

            Highway tolling and contractor issues (over $60 million in lost revenues)

Issues within the state Auditor’s office

            Clear communications with the state legislature

            Better identify abusive, wasteful spending and fraud

            Aggressively present audit reports for legislative and/or legal action

            Continue to improve the integrity, independence, and objectivity of the state Auditor’s office

            Performance audit budget cuts

            Staffing

            Improved relations and communications with Washington state residents

He also has a proposed Auditor’s office code of ethics which looks pretty good on first reading.

David Golden                        no preference             goldend321@gmail.com

no website       509-380-7324

education: WSU BS in civil and environmental engineering UW MS in structural engineering.

Worked for WSDOT as a structural bridge inspector. He feels this qualifies him to protect the public safety and welfare, and that his skills are easily transferable.