Chief
01-10-2008, 08:34 PM
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004116992_port10m.html?syndication=rss
OLYMPIA — Port of Seattle officials on Wednesday sought to assure state lawmakers that they are taking seriously the explosive findings of a recent state audit, and that they've already begun to implement reforms.
But the auditors who unearthed evidence of waste and possible fraud said the continuing denials and defensiveness they've seen from some Port officials call into question whether the agency will really change.
The 334-page audit released by State Auditor Brian Sonntag on Dec. 20 blasted the Port's management of construction contracts, largely at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The audit said the Port's poor record-keeping and cozy relationships with contractors wasted at least $97 million, violated competitive-bidding requirements and invited fraud and abuse.
**SCHNIPP**
I'm thinking that there may well be a few people at the Port of Seattle that are looking at some potential jail time over some of this. Decidedly NOT the way to run a Port.
I am tracking this story so that people realize a couple of things. First, the State Audit system works. We would not know about this had the Audit not been conducted.
Next, despite all of the bitching that we hear from some people here in town, we simply do not have these kinds of problems at the Port of Vancouver. Quite the contrary, the Port is doing exceptionally well and looks to be continuing to do so for quite some time to come.
Also, it's important to recognize real misconduct when you see it, and it's important to recognize that the Port of Seattle is going to be held accountable for whatever went on up there.
Developing...
OLYMPIA — Port of Seattle officials on Wednesday sought to assure state lawmakers that they are taking seriously the explosive findings of a recent state audit, and that they've already begun to implement reforms.
But the auditors who unearthed evidence of waste and possible fraud said the continuing denials and defensiveness they've seen from some Port officials call into question whether the agency will really change.
The 334-page audit released by State Auditor Brian Sonntag on Dec. 20 blasted the Port's management of construction contracts, largely at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The audit said the Port's poor record-keeping and cozy relationships with contractors wasted at least $97 million, violated competitive-bidding requirements and invited fraud and abuse.
**SCHNIPP**
I'm thinking that there may well be a few people at the Port of Seattle that are looking at some potential jail time over some of this. Decidedly NOT the way to run a Port.
I am tracking this story so that people realize a couple of things. First, the State Audit system works. We would not know about this had the Audit not been conducted.
Next, despite all of the bitching that we hear from some people here in town, we simply do not have these kinds of problems at the Port of Vancouver. Quite the contrary, the Port is doing exceptionally well and looks to be continuing to do so for quite some time to come.
Also, it's important to recognize real misconduct when you see it, and it's important to recognize that the Port of Seattle is going to be held accountable for whatever went on up there.
Developing...