State agency needs oversight, overhaul

Regarding the April 18 article, “Welfare worker accused of stealing nearly $75,000”:

The Department of Social and Health Services office in Lynnwood is not the last DSHS office you will read about with financial improprieties.

DSHS has consistently resisted doing background checks on its workers. There is a worker in the Everett Division of Child Support office who was convicted of a money laundering felony and who maintained her employment even while serving her sentence. It must have been a side benefit to the “female sentencing discount,” she got, as near as I can understand it.

When we pointed this out to the director, David Stillman, he shrugged his shoulders, and said, “Nothing I can do.”

Is it too much to expect the government to run their shop like you would yours? It is yours, after all.

Why should I care about some deadbeat dads, you ask? Well, first, over 80 percent of those in arrears make less than $10,000 per year, and are dead-broke, rather than dead-beat. Second, those employees, including the convicted felon, have access to everyone’s tax records. Yes, everyone’s, yours, too. And, even though the president can’t access your and your employer’s local and long distance telephone calling records, those folks can, and do, without a warrant or notice to you or your employer.

Feeling all warm and fuzzy about convicted felons having that access and what could reasonably expect to happen? I’m sure not.

Additionally, they are paid with money from your Social Security Administration, which throws over $3.50 into the pot for every dollar the state spends on most child support collection activities.

Time to call for an overhaul in DSHS and their employment practices. It is your money, and they allow access to your, your employer and your family’s personal financial records to folks you would never give it up to voluntarily.

Mark Mahnkey

Director, Public Policy

Washington Civil Rights Council

Lynnwood