Kelly Thomas, Legislative Assistant, kthomas@spokanecity.org
Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 8:11 a.m.
City Administration recently informed several City Council Members of possible financial fraud within the city-funded homeless service provider network. Due to the nature of the potential fraud, Council Members Kinnear and Stratton are calling for an immediate criminal investigation.
“The administration has known about this information and apparently has a copy of the police report,” said Council Member Karen Stratton. “Before going any further, Council needs to see the police report to formulate our next course of action.”
Council members began receiving information late Friday evening and additional information Monday morning and have heard varying amounts of potential fraud ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000.
“Because of different funding sources, this could potentially become a federal investigation,” says Council Member Kinnear. “This is why we’re adamant about receiving information via a criminal investigation. The City of Spokane is already in a fragile homeless situation; to add fraudulent activity weakens our progression and frankly is unacceptable.”
Many accusations of lack of government transparency have surfaced. As direct representatives of residents and stewards of City policy and budget, Council Members have been adamant about bringing transparency into the happenings of City government.
