By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Mossyrock’s city clerk was arrested yesterday afternoon for first-degree theft and misappropriation by a public official.
Doneia A. Santiago was booked into the Lewis County Jail.
The Morton Police Department, which handles law enforcement services for the small central Lewis County city, is investigating.
Morton Police Chief Roger Morningstar said this morning he couldn’t yet discuss the case, because it is ongoing.
He said he began looking into it as soon he was informed of an issue by Mossyrock Mayor Thomas Meade.
“Mayor Meade was very quick to get on board as soon as he was notified by the bank,” Morningstar said.
The community of some 750 people employs just three individuals full time at city hall, according to the most recent report from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. It operated on revenues of approximately $762,000 in 2014.
Santiago was listed as the clerk-treasurer in the report issued on Nov. 16 of last year. The 53-year-old resides in Salkum.
The accountability audit report on the city’s compliance and safeguarding of public resources stated that in most areas audited for the 2014 calendar year, the city was in compliance.
“However, we noted certain matters that we communicated to city management in a letter dated November 10, 2015, related to cost allocation,” the audit’s authors wrote. “We appreciate the city’s commitment to resolving those matters.”
Santiago is tentatively scheduled to appear this afternoon at 4 p.m. in Lewis County Superior Court.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
No its not me posting Ive been out of town at work just got back yesterday from wyoming.
I have had a feeling that something was going on
Quite a few readers seem to regard LCS as their personal or neighborhood newsletter. The arrest of a city clerk is a public, newsworthy development that will be covered by any conscientious reporter. When a friend or relative has the misfortune of getting into the news, it’s best to unsubscribe to LCS temporarily in the interest of peace of mind.
If Hillary was arrested on job-related charges related to her time as Secretary of State, would you really want the media to keep a lid on it? Or (if you’re partisan to the left) would you have wanted an embargo on Watergate stories until after Nixon had resigned? Granted, a city clerk in a town of 750 doesn’t compare to a Secretary of State or President, but the same journalistic standards apply because all three people have occupied positions of trust and accountability to the public they were supposed to serve.
I’m sorry if Doneia is a friend or a relative, but this involves first-degree theft and misappropriation charges against a city clerk (i.e., the person who handles the people’s money) and the mayor is cooperating. That’s a legitimate story by itself, as it will be if she proves her innocence.
Mr. Peabody is that you posting?
No, she should wait until she has some facts!
The fact that a city clerk was arrested and booked for alleged theft of public funds is a story in itself. Instead of berating Sharyn for not giving information that isn’t available (should she just make stuff up?), I’ll go a different route and give her kudos for scooping The Chronicle. Again.
This is actually a waste of space. This article says nothing except that she was arrested and they are not going to discuss the case yet. A premature posting for sure!