An investigation of Klickitat County Commissioner David Sauter’s travel expenditures and cell phone and Internet usage discovered “no specific violations of law.”
Detective Jen Ortiz of the Washington State Patrol’s Investigative Services Bureau issued a 19-page investigative report on Oct. 22 that stated, “All criminal violations and corresponding RCWs alleged by [county resident Raymond] Clough were reviewed and no specific violations of law were discovered.”
Ortiz reviewed multiple documents provided by Clough alleging criminal activity by Sauter “with regard to travel expense reimbursement,” and interviewed state auditors and county officials concerning state and county policies and procedures in reaching her conclusion.
Sauter, of Lyle, is a two-term commissioner seeking re-election this fall.
On Oct. 15, Ortiz met with auditors from the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) who had completed audits of the travel expense reimbursements of all three county commissioners.
“The audits determined Sauter and the other two commissioners had not violated any policies or procedures when requesting and receiving reimbursements for travel expenses in the years 2012, 2013, and the first three months of 2014. Working in conjunction with representatives of the SAO, WSP investigators determined no criminal violations occurred,” Ortiz wrote.
Clough, in citizen complaints filed with the FBI, the Governor’s Office, the SAO, and the County Prosecuting Attorney, alleged Sauter, who represents District 2, had “misused taxpayer funds when seeking reimbursement for travel expenses.”
Clough alleged Sauter was not following county policies or state guidelines when seeking travel reimbursements. Ortiz found that the county has an ordinance and a policy for reimbursing travel, set forth in its personnel manual, and that the commissioners are subject to following the policy.
Moreover, state auditors found nothing to show that Sauter was misusing his county-provided cell phone. Also, Sauter told investigators during on Oct. 21 interview in Goldendale that he pays for the Internet service connection at his residence.
The report also found County Auditor Brenda Sorenson did not falsely audit or pay claims, as alleged by Clough. According to the SAO audit of Sauter’s travel expenses, “no improper audits were found and no inappropriate reimbursements were paid out; therefore, there is no evidence to support Sorensen violated this statute.”
“The results of the audit found no improper activity and all of the claims for expenses and subsequent reimbursements were done appropriately,” Ortiz wrote.
Prosecuting Attorney Lori Hoctor and Sheriff Rick McComas initiated the investigation in late September when they jointly asked the WSP to determine whether the claims against Sauter had merit.
“The audits determined Sauter and the other two commissioners had not violated any policies or procedures when requesting and receiving reimbursements for travel expenses in the years 2012, 2013, and the first three months of 2014. Working in conjunction with representatives of the SAO, WSP investigators determined no criminal violations occurred,” Ortiz wrote.
Clough, in citizen complaints filed with the FBI, the Governor’s Office, the SAO, and the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, alleged Sauter, who represents District 2, had “misused taxpayer funds when seeking reimbursement for travel expenses.”
Clough alleged Sauter was not following county policies or state guidelines when seeking travel reimbursements. Ortiz found that the county has an ordinance and a policy for reimbursing travel, set forth in its personnel manual, and that the commissioners are subject to following the policy.
Moreover, state auditors found nothing to show that Sauter was misusing his county-provided cell phone. Also, Sauter told investigators during on Oct. 21 interview in Goldendale that he pays for the Internet service connection at his residence.
The report also found County Auditor Brenda Sorenson did not falsely audit or pay claims, as alleged by Clough. According to the SAO audit of Sauter’s travel expenses, “no improper aud-its were found and no inappropriate reimbursements were paid out; therefore, there is no evidence to support Sorensen violated this statute.”
“The results of the audit found no improper activity and all of the claims for expenses and subsequent reimbursements were done appropriately,” Ortiz wrote.
Ortiz concluded, “This report and all supporting document are being forwarded to the appropriate authorities for review and determination if any criminal char-ges are applicable.”
Prosecuting Attorney Lori Hoctor and Sheriff Rick McComas initiated the investigation of Clough’s complaints in late September when they jointly asked the WSP to determine whether the claims against Sauter had merit.
Sauter told The Enterprise Tuesday, ”I’m glad the the report is back and that its outcome was what I expected. I’m happy to be able to move on now without this distraction.”
The Enterprise also contacted Clough, but he declined to comment because he had not seen the investigative report.
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