- This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 7 months ago by Michael Waldo.
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August 26, 2018 at 1:25 am #926403
JustanobodyParticipantIn 2012 a city employee with the Office of Housing stole and cashed a check for 3.5 million dollars. (Probably on a foreign beach somewhere still laughing) The check was from a developer paying a Incentive Zoning contribution.
Department director, Steve Walker, discovered the theft at a later date. (From the files my conjecture is about spring 2013) He chose not to report it. Instead he turned to Fred Podesta, department director of Finance and Administrative Services. (Currently serving his punishment as director of Human Services) Neither director chose to report it. As the Incentive Zoning program involved the Department of Construction and Inspection, they enlisted the support of the director, Nathan Torgelson. The three directors chose not to report it.
Around the late spring, early summer 2013, Podesta cried foul to the Seattle City Council about rampant violations occurring in the building industry, theft, wage, and the need of additional FTE (full time positions) to help with oversight of the programs. City Council responded with ordinance 124253, passed on 08/07/2013.
The report by Podesta to the council peaked Councilman Mike O`Brian’s interest, and he ordered an audit of the Incentive Zoning program. (Audit of Seattles Incentive Zoning for Affordable Housing, 4/13/2017) (If any of this matters to you, read the audit. It not only adds to the speculation of other departments involvement, it’s like a roadmap for the fraud).
The auditor issued a preliminary draft to Office of Housing and FAS sometime in spring or summer of 2016. The departments were allowed to respond to the auditors findings prior to the final release. The audit draft report included 3 very important facts worthy of notice here. (As well as much more)
1. 2 IZ participating buildings with payments past due and uncollected (as of 04/2016)
2. Three instances when an Office of Housing employee deposited the checks (IZ payments) directly at the bank instead of following procedure. (Secondary note by auditor, “the funds ultimately reached the city “)
3. Auditor noted an apparent discrepancy in the calculations of payments due and that the required amounts are not placed on the MUP (Master Use Permit) or the building permit application. Auditor noted “According to an Office of Housing official, staff requests to address the issue have been put on hold by the Executive and Law Departments “. (I believe that it will never be proven that they knew, but really?)
This audit forced the directors, Walker, Podesta, and Torgelson to devise a plan to account for the stolen funds never reported. This is what they did.The city council pays bills and payroll by ordinance at council meetings. The money is paid through warrants produced by FAS from city accounts. The following is a public record of payroll amounts by ordnance for September and October of 2016.
Date of Council meeting ORD. Total payroll. Payroll ending date.
9/6/2016. 125123. 44,440,940.42. 08/23/2016
9/19/2016. 125137. 43,387,944.79. 09/06/2016
10/03/2016. 125170. 47,089,493.25. 09/20/2016
10/17/2016. 125174. 43,266,028.56. 10/04/2016
10/31/2016. 125177. 43,346,214.99. 10/18/2016LOOK at the payroll for 10/3 vs. the others. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 3.8 MILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN CURRENT PAYROLLS BEFORE AND AFTER. I`ll explain.
One of the directors opened an account with Bank of America. False employees were then added to the city payroll for that specific payroll period. All false employees were paid through direct deposits, into the Bank of America account. The false employees were then eliminated from the payroll records. (Payroll warrants 390001-402459, direct deposit portion only)
With the proceeds of the fraud, the directors had Bank of America issue a check, payable to the City of Seattle in the amount of the 3,759,546.36, on November 1st, 2016. The check was received by the city on November 4th, 2016, supposedly to pay the missing IZ payment from the developer. (Without seeing them you really would not believe how many records were falsified for this fraud)
Worthy of note:
1. Current city action points at Podesta taking the fall.
2. Many of the conspirators will never be held accountable
3. No one cares or wants this information as I have sent it to the following entities with no response or interest;
Councilman Mike O`Brien and one staff member
Mayor Durken staff member
Seattle Times
Komo 4
King 5
Private attorneyDONE! This feels so goooood to get off my chest. Send it to your neighbors, friends, anyone and all. The entire city has the right to know. There is more, other deceptions, other discovered truths. I`m going to wait and see what happens with this information first. I have no expectations. I have no doubt the city will expload or nothing will happen at all.
I am hoping that they sue me. I would relish a day in court. Most probably this gets shuffled away and they continue to do whatever they want to.Disclaimer: This posting is if my own, from facts derived from public records, public documents, and personal opinion. No other person or entity is involved.
Thanks, and good night
August 26, 2018 at 9:21 am #926408
jissyParticipantJustanobody: Looks like just another typical day in the City! Disgusting!!! I had a meeting yesterday with a previous KC employee in inspections and zoning who told me a fascinating story of 2 (in the memory of his career) files that just magically “POOF”, disappeared, never to be seen or discussed or mentioned again.
P.S. I pray for your personal safety My Friend.
- This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by jissy.
August 27, 2018 at 11:09 am #926539
gxnxParticipantYou might want to send it to
http://mynorthwest.com/category/the-dori-monson-show/He is the champion of govt fraud and wasteful of taxpayers’ monies
I bet he loves to hear from you!!
August 27, 2018 at 2:04 pm #926559
NatSeattleParticipantTry KIRO 7’s investigative person: nwilson@kiro7.com
August 27, 2018 at 2:34 pm #926562
Michael WaldoParticipantGet Jesse!
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