PORT ANGELES — Former Mayor Karen Rogers violated state law by not disclosing business relationships while serving on the City Council, according to a report released by the state Auditor’s Office released at City Hall today.
City Manager Kent Myers confirmed that Rogers is the subject of the report’s civil investigation, though it does not mention her by name. Instead she is referred to just as a former mayor and City Council member who served from 2002 through 2009.
Rogers could not be immediately reached for comment.
No criminal action is alleged.
No action is required of the city to address the issues since the contracts have expired, Kim Hurley, special investigations manager with the Auditor’s Office, told the Port Angeles City Council during a special meeting today.
The report says the former mayor voted for a contract with a company in 2007 that paid her for “property management services.”
That violates state law regarding “remote interests,” according to the report, which did not name the company.
Rogers, a business consultant and property manager, left the council in December 2009 after serving eight years. She served as mayor in 2006 and 2007.
Hurley said that the Auditor’s Office does not have enforcement authority over the law.
Agency spokeswoman Mindy Chambers said any decisions on enforcement or penalties could be the responsibility of the state Attorney General’s Office or county prosecuting attorney.
Chambers said the Auditor’s Office won’t recommend that any criminal action be taken.
Hurley told the council that a city official must disclose business relationships with a company that the city is considering hiring.
In addition, that disclosure must be mentioned in the council minutes and the council member’s vote cannot count, the report said.
The report also found that the former mayor didn’t disclose how much money organizations that she served with as a board member, such as the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, received from the city when she filed to run for the City Council.
That also violates state law, the Auditor’s Office said.
The investigation was prompted by a hotline complaint filed with the Auditor’s Office in 2009.
Port Angeles resident Ed Tuttle has claimed responsibility for the complaint.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
