Orting School District Worker Used Funds Improperly, Audit Finds

ORTING, WA — An investigation by the Washington State Auditor found an IT employee with the Orting School District used more than $4,100 in school money to buy personal laptops, Apple products and even hoverboards. The Puyallup Herald reports the man used his official district credit card to buy several gadgets between 2016 and 2018, including things like an Apple TV, a projector and several smartphones.

A number of the items were believed to have been given to family members as gifts. Two of the laptops, worth more than $3000 combined, were returned to the district. Three expensive pairs of headphones were not located. The auditor's report asks the district to recoup that missing money and seek an additional $4,100 that the district spent on a separate, independent investigation.

The district says they have tightened policies and established better oversight over purchases. A police report was never filed. The Auditor's Office says their findings were referred to the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office to determine any further action against the employee.

Read the auditor's full report here.