"The items I am sharing will be difficult to hear"

I am reporting live about the March 1 Board of Supervisor's meeting, particularly about BOS vs the Humboldt Auditor Controller soap opera.

Each side has presented and released or "leaked" to select media what they want. 

The Final Demand letter item from California Attorney General's office was discussed earlier. 

Humboldt Auditor Controller Karen Paz Dominguez is making a presentation. The item on the agenda is completing the 2019,20 audit and the contract with an outside firm, CliftonLarsonAllen.

"I am too nervous to sit down," said Karen Paz Dominguez.

Karen Paz Dominguez is going through and mentioning specific findings she found about building and planning, CAO's office,DHHS, Sheriff's Office . You can watch the video.

"Despite the Auditor Controller's Office's attempt to preempt delays,the County as a whole failed to close the fiscal year," said Ms. Paz Dominguez. "No one is happy about this. With the County's support, including the Board of Supervisors, we can do that."

"What is in the best interest of the County is to make you aware of these findings," said Ms. Paz Dominguez.

Ms. Paz Dominguez said "petty cash was not being regularly reconciled; stolen cash and theft of other items was reported to the police but not reported to the Auditor-Controller ; cash and gift cards were given as advances were not reported to the Auditor-Controller; advance payments to outside vendors were not reconciled; regarding CAO's office, outside accounts were not reconciled and reported to Auditor-Controller but are now being sent in; double reporting of revenues and expenditures by CAO and DHHS."

"When I brought these up, I was threatened," said Ms. Paz Dominguez.

"They (CAO) asked IT to grant unauthorized access to our financial software," said Ms. Paz Dominguez.

"When the state came in they made an inquiry and determined an acturial report was needed for the PARS account," said Ms. Paz Dominguez. She claimed that the CAO's office allegedly purchased software "and forged it" meaning the acturial report. Ms. Paz Dominguez said that the county is being sued by the state Department of Health Care Services for $1.5 million.

These are just some of the bombshells during Ms. Paz Dominguez's presentation.

Remember when I said after former CAO Amy Nilsen's abrupt departure, there was a bigger story. Why did Ms. Nilsen leave? Why have there been so many exits of key employees in the last year, few months. Personnel issues are confidential is convenient, isn't it?

Ms. Paz Dominguez's opponent Mychal Evenson is being promoted by Supervisor Bohn and other conservatives. Why? These are questions the public should ask, especially those screaming as if Evenson is the savior. It is a small town, do your own investigative research as a voter.

Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass asked Ms. Paz Dominguez if she had proof. Ms. Paz Dominguez said she did.

"In this County, accounting is decentralized," said Ms. Paz Dominguez. She mentioned different departments have different and their own software.

Ms. Paz Dominguez commended the Aviation Department and Director Cody Roggatz reaching out to her office to rectify "below market hangar rent price" which had been given for years which could have potentially affected FAA funding.

Ms. Paz Dominguez said the Sheriff's office has been cooperative and reached out to her office. 

"I notified two senior members of your Board, one of which was Mr. Bohn who is giving me the middle finger." A chorus of male voices said, "What? That is how he adjusts his glasses."

"Our community deserves to know where our money comes from and where it goes," said Ms. Paz Dominguez.

BOS asked questions and Ms. Paz Dominguez responded. Most of the questions came from Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell.

Supervisor Bushnell and First District Supervisor Rex Bohn were quick to press their buttons for questions. Bushnell asked for documentation about forged reports and claims.

Supervisor Bass said, "We have had multiple audits; why havent these issues risen in the past. Why would be giving them a bigger contract if they are not looking hard enough?"

You can watch Ms. Paz Dominguez's response to Supervisor Bass' question. I am not transcribing the entire meeting.

"We don't have a report to respond to," said Third District Supervisor Wilson. "We have nothing to respond to other than verbal findings." He said he was in favor of approving the contract which was the agenda item.

"It is not fair to the public," said Supervisor Wilson. I agree the public should see what proof and documentation is provided to the Board.

Supervisor Bohn said Ms. Paz Dominguez had singled him out. That he had not engaged her for "18 to 20" months since she brought charges against him and that $23,000 was spent on investigation with "no findings against me" about him allegedly using his influence.

Supervisor Bohn challenged Ms. Paz Dominguez and dared her for an investigation, "take the information to the DA. She will recuse herself because we work together and take it to the California Attorney General."

The same Attorney General who is threatening legal action against the County. Ask the citizens of California and Humboldt how much they trust state agencies to investigate local politicians, government and court. California has a dismal record nationwide. The Auditor Controller was willing to put information out to the public. If the Board and department heads are so confident,why are you looking at her proof first? Put it out there today on the County website.

"My office was wrung and DHHS, " said CAO Elishia Hayes. She said nothing she heard was new and that departments were willing to work on rectifying. This sentiment was echoed by others, who all kept referring to the "surprise report."

Either you all knew about it or you didn't. Make up your mind. 

The point you miss Ms. Hayes is the public did not know. Ms Paz Dominguez made claims. If she provides proof, the media and public deserve to see it for ourselves. 

Was the County transparent that Supervisor Bohn was being investigated? When was that disclosed to the public.

This "he said she said" has gone on and on long enough. I think the Auditor Controller, BOS and department heads need to provide evidence to the public. As someone reporting and as a constituent, I trust none of these people. I trust evidence, proof and complete information. The people I trust least are politicians.

Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone was mostly silent. In the past, he has defended the Auditor Controller.

"The reason I brought this out," said Ms. Paz Dominguez is "because of morale" at Auditor Controller's Office and that her office is not the sole ones responsible.

The very thing that many County employees accuse Ms. Paz Dominguez of, they displayed today on livestream. You blamed her, refused to take responsibility and were pissed that media and members of public had access to information we absolutely deserve to know.

"Opportunities for fraud exist, let's close those opportunities. I understand people will be upset at me. I am taking hits for things not happening; I am taking hits for sharing," said Karen Paz Dominguez.

HCSO's Regina Fuller asked to respond outside formal report. Why was she there for Sheriff William Honsal?  I have not seen him around. District Attorney Maggie Fleming was there and spoke.

Hayes, Fuller repeated some of the claims made against Ms. Paz Dominguez in other media coverage.

Building and Planning Director John Ford said Auditor Controller was correct about one claim. Ford said he heard for the first time there was a problem with cash.

Some from the County were smooth not to display their reaction. The defensiveness and agressiveness of others is something each one of you can make up your mind about.

In court, evidence is presented. In court, 12 jurors decide the credibility of each witness. This meeting is being livestreamed, is on video. I suggest that since all evidence is not in yet; just like a case, either each side present proof and then the public will render their verdict in future elections.

Some of the previous and related posts on County and Auditor Controller:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/02/more-litigation-against-county-from.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/no-fine-has-been-imposed-and-state.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/county-employee-paper-checks-wont-clear.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/best-comments-today-on-rexs-facebook.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/half-county-employees-did-not-get-paid.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/best-comments-today-on-rexs-facebook.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/11/are-they-turning-on-karen-paz-dominguez.html?m=1