RSS
Former 15th District candidate under investigation
YAKIMA, Wash. -- Skamania County Auditor J. Michael Garvison, who earlier this year sought appointment to a state House seat in the 15th District, is under investigation by the state Auditor’s Office for his use of county funds.
The Clark County newspaper The Columbian first reported the investigation Friday, saying Garvison has billed the county $83,000 for travel expenses since the start of 2008. That includes payment for trips to Las Vegas, Montreal, Florida and Washington, D.C.
Garvison, who went by “Mike Garvison” during the appointment process, denies any wrongdoing.
He was in the news locally earlier this year as a candidate for the legislative seat vacated by former state Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, who became head of the state Agriculture Department. In February Garvison told the Herald-Republic his experience dealing with budgets as an auditor would help him, were he appointed to the Legislature.
He pointed to staff cuts he’d made in the Skamania County Auditor’s Office and said the state should show similar financial restraint.
“We have to get our fiscal house in order,” he said at the time.
Garvison did not make it past the first round of cuts in the appointment process. The seat ultimately went to David Taylor, R-Moxee, who was elected Tuesday to finish the term.
- Pat Muir
E-mail
Print
Leave a comment on this post!
1 comments so far.
J Mike Garvison has followed in his grandfather and uncle's footsteps. Jim Garvison sr and Jim garvison Jr had painting contracting firms built on the backs of clients, then after they bought new cars, motor homes, mink coats, they would file bankruptcy and restart the business using a grandchild's social security number. Mike had spent 30 days in an adolescent mental health facility while a senior in high school. He also spent 30 days at Mt. Hood Medical 'center in their drug/alcohol rehab unit for 30 days. Until Mike admits he is the author of his bad behavior, he will always try to "get away with things" - due to his indoctrination into the Garvison way of life. I should know - I'm his mother. Seven years ago Mike and Liz asked us to babysit for their daughter while they partied at the coast on one of the wine tasting weekends. While we were there his 150 lb untrained mastiff knocked me flying in the middle of the street fracturing my leg. Mike offered to reimburse me what my insurance didn't pay. That was $247. When I asked him for reimbursement he kicked my husband and me out of the house, refused to allow our granddaughter to say goodby and sent us a letter demanding wenever contact them again. So to make him and his wife accountable I sued them for allowing a mean dog to run at large causing physical injury. This is a matter of public record at Skamania county courthouse. I found out that I was the fourth victim of this uncontrollable dog and I won- Mike and Liz lost. However the county did make him erect a fence to containt the dog. How he could allegedly scam the people of Skaminia Co.isbeyond my comprehension - but the embarrassment and humiliation being felt by his 14 year old daughter is incomprehensible.Mike thinks of no one but himself and what he can get out of a situation. Should you want any further information, please email me.
Report Violation