The Year in Fraud: New Special Investigations Division at SAO

By: Mike McClanahan

Outlets: TVW

Published: September 10, 2026

Words: 273

Last Updated: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

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Recently published audits list allegations of missing equipment and improper use of public funds at a western Washington fire district and repeated instances of misappropriation in a small eastern Washington town.

Compared to the previous year, State Auditor Pat McCarthy said fiscal year 2025 brought a concerning increase in suspected fraud and the net loss to taxpayers.

“We conducted 54% more fraud investigations and documented a more than 300% increase in the amount …

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