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Two systems of justice in our state

BY Dori Monson  on February 7, 2013 @ 9:48 pm (Updated: 5:50 am - 2/8/13 )

- Dori writes...

Dateline: Seattle:

A homeless crack-addict ran into a 7-11 store in Fremont and grabbed $700 from the cash register and ran off. He was caught several blocks away. Upon his capture, a police spokesman said, "the man simply made a mistake. Once we caught him, he admitted he stole the money and was sorry - so we let him go."

Can you imagine the outrage if the above story was true? If we just let criminals go with no prosecution when they commit crimes?

Welcome to the world of Washington state government!

I got a tip a couple weeks ago from a listener who told me about a state employee who was in charge of issuing credit cards to state workers - but was using her state credit card for personal expenses.

We put reporter Brandi Kruse on the story - and, after a public records request, Brandi was able to confirm what my tipster told me. Neva Peckham repeatedly used her state-issued travel card in and around Olympia from January 2012 to June 2012. Unauthorized purchases included multiple trips to grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants. She also spent $30.00 during a visit to a nail salon and spa in McCleary, Wash.

The total amount of unauthorized purchases was $658.63.

Peckham was warned about personal use of her card in June of last year when it came to the department's attention, but continued to submit personal purchases for reimbursement the following month, according to documents.

So Peckham was fired, right?

Of course not. This is the State of Washington - where pubic employees stealing from the taxpayers results in no punishment at all.

A spokesman for the agency for which Peckham works - DES - said Peckham is a valued employee who simply "made a mistake".

And, by the way, Peckham's job with the state? She was in charge of issuing credit cards to other state employees and managing those credit card contracts.

Anyone else who stole this amount of money would likely be prosecuted. At the very least, they would lose their job. And this, in a nutshell, is an example of the gigantic problem with government. There are two systems of justice: One for government employees... and one for the rest of us.

On Facebook, there is a Neva Peckham who says she works for Washington State. On that FB page, her favorites are listed as "Lucky Slots Slot Machines"... "Lucky Cruise Slots"... " Dice With Buddies"... "Double U Casino"... Winner Super Slots"... "Bingo Bash"... Hollywood Spins"... and "Best Casino"...

If this is the same Neva Peckham, might that explain the credit card "mistake?"

Oh well... it's only taxpayer dollars, right?

While the rest of the media ignores stories like this, my pledge remains that we will remain vigilant to watch out for stories like this - and for your tax dollars. Keep those tips coming in!

Dori Monson, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dori Monson is host of The Dori Monson Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays Noon-3) and the pre-game and post-game host for the Seattle Seahawks Radio Network. There are three words that Dori thinks best describe him - competitive, competitive and competitive.
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Comments (14)


  • Add A Comment

  • AKAF wrote...
    Love you Dori and Love your show but...
    February 7, 2013 11:25 pm
    This is just a case where an individual was not properly informed of use of a state credit card. Common sense to you and me is different to others. It was under $700...let it go. There other other issues to be worried about like state welfare individuals having access to their welfare cards in casinos and strip clubs. After this issue was highlighted the State started searching for investigators to seek out the abusers...however, within weeks the state stopped searching and closed the positions. Fraud is still going on in this area..the extra investigators were not hired...thanks to media being tired of the issue. This minor official that used a travel card incorrectly is just that minor. Give it a rest...focus on welfare fraud in casinos and strip clubs that are STILL taking place due to lack of investigators being hired.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WiIliam Lawn wrote...
    It was under $700...let it go?
    February 8, 2013 7:05 am
    So we can steal your money AKAF, and as long as it's under $700, oh just let it go? Stealing is stealing, the only reason she is getting a pass is because it's tax payer dollars. And like everyone in government thinks, it's no big deal... there's plenty more where that came from.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bigdogina4x4 wrote...
    Wasn't this bithc in charge of the employee CC program?
    February 8, 2013 11:50 am
    And she didn't realize this wasn't appropriate? What qualifications did she have to hold this position?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Vatar wrote...
    She had already recieved a warning
    February 8, 2013 1:17 pm
    She was warned last summer for the same kinds of activity, and kept on doing it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hedujg26 wrote...
    No, AKAF, this is stealing plain and simple
    February 8, 2013 2:32 am
    She was trained and signed a contract saying she would not use it for personal purchases, and did exactly that. Do you understand the insanity of saying she wasn't properly informed of the credit cards purpose, but yet she was in charge of accounts of Billions of dollars? The "not informed" excuse doesn't pass the laugh test for one second. It would point out even more how this lady did not belong in this job! We are to hold our state employees to a level of trust that we have to employ in our own jobs, and not allow a theft, or to "right it off" because it was only $700. That is ridiculous, abd anyone who thinks that is not someone that should be put in charge of money for any reason. It was theft, she should have been fired at least and prosecuted, just like the embezzlers are in our county.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    its a valid point, but we are missing another.
    February 8, 2013 3:02 am
    If it took her manager all that time to figure thy fraud out, what kind of oversight are they holding over the rest of our tax money?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • doubleogordo wrote...
    The tale of Benny and the 7-11 in Fremont.
    February 8, 2013 5:17 am
    I can imagine this scenario. Benny Benhariz (aka the rock stacker) grabs $700 dolllars from John's cash register. Benny runs down the street to M & S deli and buys several cartons of Camel ciggarettes and a few cases of HG 800 tall boys. Shortly thereafter Benny is caught in the doorway accross the street with the purchased merchandise stashed under his green Wilcox milk crate which he is sitting on. Police decide to let him go after he admits what he did and agrees to give up his milk crate and spend the rest of the night sitting on the cold hard concrete.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    If I used my Corporate Card like this
    February 8, 2013 5:53 am
    I would be looking for another job

    But if your a government employee you get warned and then get warned again.

    and people wonder why we are in debt up to our ears.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Exactly, Rick
    February 8, 2013 8:58 am
    What makes people think this is OK? And multiply this $698 by thousands of state employees. In this horrible economic climate and with our state being $4 Billion in debt, well, this behavior is totally unacceptable and this person should be terminated.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WorkingStiff wrote...
    File A Criminal Complaint
    February 8, 2013 12:16 pm
    Dori, if you are truly outraged, you can file a criminal complaint with the Olympia police department.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    Tip of the tip of the big iceberg..
    February 9, 2013 9:31 am
    As long as fudging expense accounts and credit cards are handed out like Halloween candy to state (and fed) employees, this will continue unabated. Employees that misuse the funds are smart. Oversight is one thing, fraud is another.. They will take advantage of state governments systemic gridlock to fill their own purses and wallets with a few bucks here, and there. The advantage they have is that they are operating as insiders to a totally ef'd up system and taking well advantage of that little perk.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Was wondering
    February 9, 2013 10:26 am
    if Neva Peckham was required to AT LEAST pay back what she stole?

    She should pay it back, with interest and fines. The article doesn't mention it either way....

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SayWhat! wrote...
    2 Standards...
    February 9, 2013 7:28 pm
    Let me see if I understand...She stole money from the citizens of the state of Washington sounds like a crime was committed but because another employee of the state says she is a valued employee there is no price to be paid other than reducing her workload for the same pay? We can't afford this kind of valued employee. Is there an official statement from her superior? Who said this was a "mistake" rather than a crime? I wonder what other kinds of "mistakes" are made and pardoned?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • froggy wrote...
    The State Attorney General should be notified so...
    February 10, 2013 5:30 pm
    an investigation can be conducted. The State Patrol would probably be assigned to investigate. At least they should be. I wonder how a person would report this to a law enforcement body that has authority to prosecute? Perhaps the FBI would, well maybe not since it is so small.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }