There never was a true independent investigation of the PUD whistle-blower complaint.
As reported in The Herald, Snohomish County PUD Commissioners hired Ms. Colleen Kinerk, Seattle attorney to investigate the complaint. As an attorney, her highest priority is to her clients, the PUD Commission. That is why Kinerk’s report was slanted in favor of the PUD with mention of an ethics violation that was dismissed with little or no impact on the PUD.
Kinerk’s report can hardly be construed as an independent investigation by any stretch of the imagination.
In a public records request, PUD states: “There has never been an invoice for professional services from Ms. Colleen Kinerk, for her work on the whistle-blower complaint and the district has paid nothing to Ms. Kinerk or her law firm of Cable, Langenbach, Kinerk &Bauer of Seattle. So we are left to believe she did all that work for free?
Kinerk never resolved the questions of no bid contract No. 64081 for which $800,000 remains unaccounted for. Kinerk states, “half of that money was used to hire employees, including a family member for Mr Kaplan’s new start up 1energy company.” Her lack of effort to account for the rest of the $800,000 is a far cry from a true investigation and it does not stop there. Its all so contrived. The PUD has buried this entire matter thinking the ratepayers have moved on.
Lynn Claughton
Everett
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