SEC to question official over Wenatchee arena debt

WENATCHEE — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission wants to question a former Wenatchee city official over the city’s handling of financing for an events arena.

Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz says the interview is tentatively scheduled for mid-March. The former city employee was not identified.

The Wenatchee World reported that the SEC’s formal investigation into the 2008 arena financing began in late last December when the regulatory agency took testimony from a member of the city’s staff. That staff member was not identified.

In late 2011, the Greater Wenatchee Regional Events Center Public Facilities District defaulted on nearly $42 million in debt, tied to the 2008 construction of the publicly-owned Town Toyota Center.

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Information from: The Wenatchee World, http://www.wenatcheeworld.com