State auditor: Former Seattle Colleges director stole more than $50,000

SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington State Auditor's Office has referred one of its reports to the King County Prosecutor's Office, after finding that a former director at Seattle Colleges racked up more than $50,000 in personal expenses on a work credit card.


The organization's longtime — and now former — director of distance learning was the target of the audit, which began early last year after its procurement department requested the investigation. According to a report issued Thursday, the director acknowledged the personal expenses when confronted.

The audit found that 700 personal transactions had been made since 2009 for items including make-up, clothing and jewelry. An additional 457 transactions totaling $46,000 were deemed questionable.

Seattle Colleges comprises four institutions: North Seattle, South Seattle and Seattle Central colleges, plus the Seattle Vocational Institute.