Vancouver, WA – The report of an independent, unbiased investigation into allegations that arose during the three-year update of Clark County’s Comprehensive Growth Management Plan was released Wednesday, ending a more than three-month process.

Seattle attorney Rebecca Dean, who specializes in workplace investigations, was hired March 25, 2016 to look into:

• A whistleblower and Equal Employment Opportunity complaint against Councilor David Madore
• A retaliation complaint filed by the union representing the Community Planning staff
• Allegations by Madore that the Community Planning staff and two deputy prosecuting attorneys intentionally provided false information to influence the outcome of the plan and an outside review of the plan.

Her 41-page report is based on interviews with 13 people. Another 373 pages of documents are attached as an appendix and exhibits.

In it, Dean reaches three primary conclusions. They are:

• “Madore’s allegations of staff misfeasance are false.”
• “Madore attempted to directly micro-manage the planning staff’s work.”
• “Madore’s conduct was motivated by (the) public discrediting of Alternative 4B by the Thorpe report and by (the Board of County Councilors’) reversal of his plan, not by the motives alleged” by certain county employees.  

Through June, costs associated with the investigation reached $54,936.97.

To see the report, please contact the county’s public disclosure and claims coordinator, Bonnie Lee, at bonnie.lee@clark.wa.gov or (360) 397-2025 ext. 4928.

CONTACT
Mark McCauley
County Manager
Board of County Councilors
(360) 397-2232
mark.mccauley@clark.wa.gov