Meanwhile, the auditor keeps democracy in line

War looms, but the everyday business of democracy continues unabated. A case in point is state Auditor Brian Sonntag and his green-eye-shade crew. Their mission: scrutinizing public records to ensure the fiduciary trust we place in state and local government isn't subverted, one wasted dollar after another.

Unlike possible congressional inquiries into how billions could be spent so ineffectively on intelligence and national security, state audits aren't the stuff of high drama. But they exemplify bedrock American values distinguishing us from rogue states that squash dissent and foster terrorism.

So let's review some overlooked lowlights from probes by Democrat Sonntag between the beginning of last year and this month. Periods covered here typically range from early 1998 or 1999 to year-end '99 or mid-2000. Bear in mind the government grifters and goofs exposed often set their sights low, thinking they'll avoid detection.

• The resident caretaker employed by Thurston County Cemetery District No. 2 pocketed $7,000 in grave opening and closing fees. A Mountlake Terrace Police clerk liberated $10,000 cash from the evidence room. Then there's the $8,400 that skipped away from the South Kitsap Parks and Recreation District. Another $2,500 in team and league fees received at athletic fields was snagged by a district employee.

• Under volunteer "supervision," nearly $3,000 in gate proceeds loped off from the Kitsap County Fair. At the county's Fair and Parks Department, $16,000 more in fair revenues vaporized. It surfaced 15 days later in an unlocked desk drawer. Hmmn.

• A Shelton High School coach collected weight-room fees for two years, issued no receipts, and turned in a bit more than $2,000 to the district. He claimed he spent the remaining $36,650 on new weight-room equipment, though it wasn't tagged or marked as school district property.

• A blue ribbon for irrogance (that's ignorance and arrogance) goes to the East Wenatchee Water District. Over several years, employees and commissioners effectively got interest-free loans for $16,000 in private cell-phone use, including that of spouses. And for $7,000 in tires, auto parts and service, lumber, home repair, furniture and computers. No wonder — they had active accounts for personal goods and services charged to the district. One public servant went more than 6 months without settling a tab; others, 3 to 4 months.

• A Student Life Department recreation coordinator at South Seattle Community College approved $26,000 in questionable and poorly documented expenditures. They were made using state-issued, pre-paid "procurement cards" meant for official purposes only. But many of the buys were for personal goods. For instance: baby food, diapers and groceries.

• State government has clay feet, too. An agent at the state's Edmonds ferry terminal embezzled almost $5,000 collected from ticket booths. An office worker in the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development forged signatures to get $13,000 in phony expenses. A Secretary of State's Office employee kept $10,000 from sales of flags and documents.

• A more involved scam surfaced at the state gambling commission, which charges licensees (such as casinos and racetracks) an upfront fee to fund required undercover investigations that root out potential corruption. The commission then issues refunds, if the fee exceeds the actual costs involved. A staff accountant funneled $69,000 to himself, disguised as refunds to licensees.

• The award for dumbest grafter goes to the state Employment Security Department program coordinator who submitted false vouchers for $33,000 in travel expenses. But on the "travel" days, the employee wasn't really away, as revealed by phone records, signed purchase approvals and mileage reimbursement forms. This genius also submitted travel vouchers covering . . . leave days. Opportunity knocked, right on a wooden head.

• Some findings raised concerns about conflict of interest, rather than outright theft or fraud. An East Wenatchee Water District commissioner's low-mileage used Jeep, on consignment at a local dealer, was sold for $26,000 to — guess who? The East Wenatchee Water District. Oops.

• While on duty, the Sultan city attorney ran a private law practice using city facilities and equipment. At several tournaments, an engineering firm paid the golf course fees of commissioners from the Val Vue Sewer District in Boulevard Park, near White Center. The officials then awarded a contract to the company.

• Finally, the "Slackers with a Conscience" honorific goes to the Juniper Beach Water District in Island County. Officials didn't collect $10,000 in overdue fees from customers because they felt bad about not completing water system improvements. Would someone introduce these guys to the do-nothing, tax-happy free-spenders running Sound Transit's light-rail program?

There's hope, though. Sometimes it's supervisors who initially uncover the problems. In a number of the above instances, wrongdoers were fired or disciplined. At the very least, most of the agencies cited have adopted the necessary accounting and administrative safeguards recommended by Sonntag's office. All pledge to improve their operations.

Meanwhile, here are two golden nuggets they can take to the bank: Every penny counts, now more than ever, and the auditor will return.

Matt Rosenberg is a Seattle writer and regular contributor to The Times' opinion page. He can be reached at oudist@nwlink.com.