SOS - Holmes Election Day Email

 Click here to view SOS - Holmes Election Day Email

Response Letter from Secretary of State Steve Hobbs pertaining to WA SAVE

Response Letter from Secretary of State Steve Hobbs pertaining to WA SAVE

Commissioners Request, Secretary Of State Allow Verification of Franklin County Citizens, Voter Rolls

CLICK HERE: Commissioners Request, Secretary of State Allow Verification of Franklin County Citizens, Voter Rolls

 

Liberty Vote Acquires Dominion Voting Systems

 

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2025

Contact:

Matt Beaton, Franklin County Auditor

Phone: 509-545-3840

Email: Auditor@FranklinCountyWA.Gov

Franklin County Auditor Welcomes Acquisition of Dominion Voting Systems by Liberty Vote, Reinforcing Commitment to Election Integrity

Pasco, WA – The Franklin County Auditor's Office is pleased to share the recent acquisition of Dominion Voting Systems by Liberty Vote, a St. Louis-based company dedicated to advancing secure and transparent election technology. This move marks a positive step forward for election integrity nationwide, particularly as Franklin County continues to rely on Liberty Votes paired with paper ballots to ensure accurate, verifiable elections.

Liberty Vote, founded and led by Scott Leiendecker—a former Republican elections director for St. Louis County with decades of experience in election administration—brings a fresh focus on American-owned innovation. Leiendecker, who also established KNOWiNK (the nation's leading provider of electronic poll books), has committed Liberty Vote to prioritizing paper-based transparency, security, and simplicity. "Liberty Vote signals a new chapter for American elections—one where trust is rebuilt from the ground up," Leiendecker stated in the official announcement. The company emphasizes 100% domestic ownership, compliance with recent federal executive orders on voting, third-party audits, voter ID requirements, and restrictions on mail-in voting to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities.

This acquisition is especially beneficial for election integrity, as it addresses lingering concerns from past elections by rebranding and refocusing on verifiable, paper-based systems that enable thorough audits and accurate ballot counting. In Franklin County, where we already utilize Dominion equipment alongside hand-marked paper ballots, this transition aligns seamlessly with our rigorous standards for security and transparency. It ensures continued reliability while enhancing public confidence through Liberty Vote's pledges to domestic development and simplified processes that prioritize voter assurance.

“During the tumultuous times following the serious questions and loss of public trust surrounding elections that used Dominion Software in the 2020 Presidential national election, a Franklin County review determined that paper ballots, audits, and clean voter rolls are foundational to election administration that Americans can trust,” said Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton. “The acquisition by Liberty Vote not only preserves the high-quality systems we depend on but also strengthens them by renewing a focus on American-led integrity measures that were evident at that time. Our residents can rest assured that every vote will be counted and recorded, with paper trails and independent verification. All that remains is for our state to ensure that we have clean voter rolls, which are foundational to election administration that Americans can trust, and embrace the review and verification by the DOJ that our voter rolls are clean."

The Franklin County Auditor's Office will monitor the transition closely and provide updates as needed. For more information on our election processes, visit www.franklincountywa.gov/210/Auditor or contact our office.

About the Franklin County Auditor's Office: The Franklin County Auditor's Office oversees accounting and financial reporting, recording, the Department of Licensing, and manages election administration in collaboration with the Board of Elections. Committed to transparency and public service, we ensure efficient and impartial operations for all citizens.

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Auditor Beaton News Release and Letter to Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

"Public Trust" is Paramount in Election Administration--Auditor Matt Beaton

 Click the following links to view documents:

1.  News Release 9-24-2025

2.  Letter to Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

State Auditor 2022 Audits Including HAPO Center Managment Services Contract Finding

For the recently completed Washington State Auditor Accountability and Financial Audit Reports, click on the documents here:

Accountability Audit Report for the period January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023

Financial Statements and Single Audit Report for the period January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023

The County lacked internal controls and procedures over contract monitoring to ensure safeguarding of public resources (accountability audit.) 

Background 

Franklin County serves more than 96,000 residents in southeast Washington. An elected, three-member Board of Commissioners governs the County, which had an annual budget of about $47 million in 2023. The County contracts for the management and operation of the HAPO Center, an event center in Pasco, for food and commissary services, and medical services at the Franklin County Jail. The County is responsible for establishing contracts that align with state law and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Inadequate internal controls can hinder the County’s ability to ensure contracted parties send all funds they owe and provide services as agreed.

HAPO Center Management Services Contract The County contracted with two third-party management companies to manage the financial and operational activities at the HAPO Center during 2022 and 2023. In 2022, the County entered into a three-month contract with a company and approved a contract amendment for $100,000 that extended services through June 30, 2023. In June 2023, the County performed a request for proposal process and selected a new contractor to provide management services beginning in October 2023. The new contract included a term of five years and was valued at $1,446,000. 

Description of Condition 

HAPO Center Management Services Contracts The 2022 contract required the management company to collect and remit all revenues from the HAPO Center to the County and to provide all supporting documentation. Additionally, the contract indicated the County was responsible for paying the contractor a monthly management fee of $12,500 and reimbursing the contractor for expenses related to the HAPO Center activity. The County paid the management company $37,500 and $180,722 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, for its management services. The County did not ensure the contract terms were followed and instead allowed the management company to manage all the financial activity and only provide profit and loss statements throughout the year. Although the County selected a new contractor in 2023 and entered into new contract terms that resolved most items noted above, the County was also unable to demonstrate it monitored the new contract terms during the audit period

Cause of Condition 

HAPO Center Management Services Contract Staff in the County Administrator’s Office are responsible for monitoring the activity at the HAPO Center. The County experienced staff turnover in its Administrator's Office and did not appropriately monitor the contracts.

Effect of Condition 

HAPO Center Management Services Contract The 2022 contract was not in compliance with state law, which requires the County to make all deposits at least once every 24 hours and all expenditures of the County to be supported. The County was unable to provide documentation supporting the revenues and expenditures the HAPO Center management company reported. The County was also unable to provide evidence that it was monitoring financial activity at the HAPO Center for either of the two contracts in place during the period. Without effective monitoring processes and support for the reported revenues and expenditures, the County cannot ensure it receives all amounts it is due and that all expenditures are for an allowable purpose. As a result, we were unable to opine on the reported financial activity of the HAPO Center presented in the fiscal year 2023 financial statements. 

Recommendation 

We recommend the County strengthen its oversight and monitoring over contracts to ensure contract terms comply with state law and are followed. We further recommend the County continue to seek support for 2022 and 2023 HAPO operating activity and seek repayment of any amounts still owed for both HAPO and commissary sales. Lastly, we recommend the County review its jail medical services contract to determine if funds need to be recouped.  

HAPO Center Management Services Contract: 

The County agrees with the State Auditor’s Office and has made the necessary changes to address their recommendations. A competitive process resulted in selecting an experienced management group that has addressed the internal control and reporting deficiencies. The County has engaged the former vendor and requested that they supply the documentation and records they contractually agreed to compile and report to account for all public funds properly. We appreciate the State Auditor’s Office's recommendations and the opportunity to address the identified issues. We look forward to working with the State Auditor's Office to ensure continued progress and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

Franklin County Auditor Vindicated; Court Finds Former County Administrator Liable for Secret Recording

 Pasco, WA 5/16/2025

Spokane County Superior Court Judge Breann Beggs ruled May 6th that former County Administrator Mike Cronemeyer, aka Mike Gonzalez Cronemeyer, was liable for secretly recording Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton while he was having a private conversation with Franklin County Commissioner Rocky Mullen and Gonzalez Cronemeyer.  Mr. Gonzalez Cronemeyer included six affirmative defenses, all of which were dismissed with prejudice.

 

Beaton, who has been the Franklin County Auditor since 2011, has often been maligned and misrepresented by the local media while reporting to the public the financial irregularities discovered by the Auditor's Office. After the recording, for reasons still unknown, Beaton and Mullen were investigated for wrongdoing, but not Gonzalez Cronemeyer. With no interviews with Beaton or Mullen, the Prosecuting Attorney Shawn Sant immediately declared it a criminal matter and requested a special investigator from Snohomish County. His actions denied Mr. Beaton the right to legal defense in his capacity as an elected official.  Snohomish County Special Prosecutor Elise Deschenes officially cleared Beaton of any wrongdoing (link) in September of last year.

With Judge Breggs' summary judgment (link)--also see original Order on Motions for Summary Judgment (link) for Beaton, the Auditor has not only been cleared but in fact has been vindicated entirely. This is just the latest in a string of recent events that have not only proven that the investigation launched into Beaton was out of line, but that Beaton has been accurate on the recent items in question. It was Beaton who discovered that former County Commissioners Brad Peck, Robert Koch, and Rick Miller had potentially violated the state constitution by voting for a pay raise for themselves. Once again, the local media portrayed Beaton as an overzealous ideologue with political grudges while Prosecutor Sant defended the unconstitutional self-enrichment. That narrative changed, however, when the Washington State Attorney General rendered their opinion (link), which was the same position Beaton had maintained from the onset.

County Auditors are often the target of other officials and the media due to the nature of their job. Auditing the financial aspects of any organization comes with inherent challenges. Just recently, members of Beaton’s staff were awarded damages in a judgment against Sheriff Jim Raymond (link) for what was determined by a Walla Walla County Superior Court judge to be defamatory comments, intimidation, and bullying. Beaton first gained attention in 2012 when he found, to that point, the largest county fraud case in Washington State history with the discovery of former Public Works Director Dennis Huston's 2.7-million-dollar, 20-year-long embezzlement scheme. Rather than spike the ball in the endzone, the Auditor delivered a measured message. "I want to be clear; these recent vindications aren't just for myself and my staff. The taxpayers of Franklin County deserve a government they can trust, and when they send their hard-earned tax dollars to Franklin County, our office cares about where those funds are spent and if they are spent legally. Because my staff and I are absolute in our mission, this hasn't always made me the most popular guy in the room. Facts can be stubborn things, and nobody likes to be told they did something that didn't pass muster.”

“With our office being proven right when it comes to the State Audit findings, the unconstitutional pay (link) for former Commissioners Peck, Koch, and Miller, auditing county travel and p-card policies, and now a summary judgment in this latest matter. I knew what I signed up for when I filed to run, and I am proud to stand up for the people of Franklin County when nobody else would. However, my family and the family of my staff have now had to put up with being accused of less than honorable actions that have not only been proven false, but in every example, we have been proven right.”

“As I said a year ago, when this phony crime and misrepresented facts (link) were 'leaked' to the media.  There are bad actors in Franklin County of and you can be assured, I hope people keep paying attention as good people, and an independent review will reveal the truth so the people can make up their own minds.”

“Finally, I will say this, the biggest vindication is for the people. We have proven that with persistence, determination, and courage, the truth wins out. Facts matter, and I can only hope this is the beginning of a new era at Franklin County that calls for accountability and responsible management of your taxpayer dollars.”—Matt Beaton, Franklin County Auditor

Follow this link for the 

AGO supports concerns raised by the County Auditor

 

Thank goodness the Constitution means what it says.   Below are the results of the long-awaited but not surprising to this Auditor, results of the Washington State Attorney General's review of Franklin County, WA Commissioners' practice of declining health benefits and using the cost of those benefits as a price point to distribute cash payments to themselves and others. The practice of the Legislative Authority taking additional cash payments and increasing said payments during their term is unconstitutional.

The state Constitution is the foundation and guiding document that all elected officials in Washington State swear in their OATH OF OFFICE.

“ I_________ do solemnly swear that I am a Citizen of the United States, and of the State of Washington; that I will support the Constitution and Laws of the United States and the Constitution and Laws of the State of Washington…

Unfortunately, the practice was reviewed and supported by the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney (PA).   A note of appreciation to MRSC for providing an independent and general review of the Constitution that allowed a creditable challenge of the practice by County Auditing staff.

 Several documents have been included to illustrate that in my first year in office it was clear that practice was “additional income.”  Only over the years did legal opinion and support of the unconstitutional practice change.  It should be noted that two of the commissioners, Mr. Didier and Mr. Mullen, were not part of creating or voting for the policy but were adversely impacted by the policy that was in place when they took office. They both made payments as soon as they were aware of the situation.   In county government, the entity and its elected officials rely on the PA to review and ensure the official actions are compliant with the State Constitution. 

CLICK on the following items to view the PDF document:

1.      AGO

2.      Calculation of the potential total impact with supporting documentation. It appears from the opinion that all the cash payments are unconstitutional and should be recovered, as the salaries were advertised at the beginning of each term.  I suggest the public read the opinion and see what you think.   Note: It will be up to the counties legal representation to determine based on the law and timing of the “additional income”.

3.      2011 email of the still elected PA stating the obvious, that policy did create “additional income”.

4.      A local media editorial criticizes of Auditor for raising the issue.  I was never interviewed. Note: MRSC service has” lawyers” and provides general considerations for the government in Washington State.

5.      A social media post by an elected official that has been aggressively critical of the Auditor Department and our role in accounting for public dollars and reporting situations that need to be reviewed for potential action. 

Judgement against Franklin County over Sheriff Jim Raymond's Defamation/Bullying of Auditor Staff

 

CLICK to View

Franklin County Commissioner Meeting 3/5/2025 Video of Auditor Comments regarding the lawsuit and Judgement

CLICK on the following items to view the PDF document.

Auditor Beaton's email to Shawn Sant regarding Sheriff Raymond's bullying and harassment of accounting staff.

Burckhard and Anderson Complaint

Defendant's CR 68 Offer of Judgment

Judgment in favor of Burckhard and Anderson Against Franklin County and Sheriff Raymond

Franklin County Commissioners' Response Auditor's Presentation on HAPO Financials

 To view the PDF version of the Commissioner's Letter to Simmons Venue Management, LLC 

CLICK Here

Franklin County Auditor recommendations on resolving the accounting/audit challenges of financial report/records at the Hapo Center

Documentation provided to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and County Administer regarding Washington State Auditor audit and Franklin County Auditor recommendations. The Franklin County Auditor presented his recommendation to the board of commissioners during the regular weekly commissioner meeting on 12-11-2024.

Documents shared with the commissioners

Follow this link:

Auditor Recommendation for SVM Response to State Auditor Concerns

Matt Beaton News Release 9-6-2024

PDF Copy of News Release Click Here

 

The $21.47 Disallowed Meal Expenditure

 

A compilation of public records communications related to the $21.47 Disallowed Meal Expenditure can be found by clicking the following link:  

Disallowed Meal Expenditure Documentation

Franklin County Auditor Review, Uncovers Unconstitutional Pay Increase for Commissioners. Longest Serving Commissioner Brad Peck received nearly $47K in questionable compensation

 

For Immediate Release: Contact Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton Auditor@franklincountywa.gov, (509)545-3848

Pasco, WA

5/1/23

An audit of  Franklin County Elected official payroll resolutions and practices has revealed that several Franklin County Commissioners have received unconstitutional payments that were approved after the 2016 election. At that time Commissioner Brad Peck, now former Commissioner Bob Koch, and former Commissioner Rick Miller approved increases that were not legally reviewed.  Commissioner Brad Peck has been paid nearly $47,000. Former Commissioner Bob Koch nearly $20,000, and former Commissioner Rick Miller a little more than $21,000.

Commissioner Clint Didier and Commissioner Rocky Mullen, who were not in office in 2016 when the benefit-to cash resolution was approved have always elected to take full benefits.  They would both owe the same amount of $334.40 due to a partial excess benefit distribution.  Didier and Mullen were not aware of the 2016 resolution that converted excess benefits payments to cash was in place when they were voted into office.   All Commissioners will have to repay any unconstitutional compensation.

You can find the full investigation report on the Auditor’s Blog, on the Franklin County Auditor’s website.

How the Investigation Began?

An interpretation from MRSC, helped prompt the investigation. At issue is the Washington law that prohibits elected officials from giving themselves a pay raise during the time they are in office. The Franklin County Commissioners increased their compensation by converting health care benefits to cash and continued to receive the increased compensation over the years. At question are increases to their benefits/salary during their term, something prohibited by the Washington State Constitution. 

“Starting in 2016, Franklin County Commissioners passed a post-election resolution enabling the conversion of excess health care benefits into cash, that subsequently went to their salary. In this case, VEBA benefits were allowed to be taken in cash, thus giving themselves a raise. My job as Auditor is to review policies and practices, past and present to assure, the county is spending the public’s money legally. In this case, the dates of their resolutions fall outside their Constitutional authority to raise their own pay.” said Auditor Matt Beaton.

 

What’s Next?

The review was introduced to Commissioners at the April 18 meeting during the Elected/Dept Head section on the agenda. Auditor Beaton says that this is being treated as a “loss” and not “fraud”. The results of the review have been forwarded to Washington State Auditor’s Office as required by law.

At the April 25, 2023 meeting the topic of stopping the ongoing illegal payments, and recovering monies was discussed.  Chairman Didier expressed a desire going forward to have, at a minimum, all payroll and legally consequential resolutions reviewed by the Prosecuting Attorney; something Prosecutor Sant mentioned he will need more staffing to accomplish.  

 

PDF version of the news release

 

Audit Finds for Unconstitutional Salary Increases for FC Commissioners

 For more information, click the link to review the notification and supporting documentation.

Audit Information

Auto Allowance Audit of Prosecuting Attorney Sant 2022

Click the link below to see the entire auto allowance audit of Prosecuting Attorney Sant completed  June, 2022.

All Documentation Shawn Sant Auto Allowance Audit 2022

Time Card Fraud Follow Up Complaint Letter Received

Prior Complaint

Several Franklin County Offices received a follow up complaint letter related to the time card fraud investigation reported in 2018 and the beginning of 2019 (please see my prior post for details.)

Another Complaint Letter Received 12-2-2019

I encourage the letter writer to come forward so we can more thoroughly respond and investigate their concerns.  

The link below will open a PDF version of the entire paper letter we received. 

Time Card Fraud Follow Up Complaint Letter Received 12-2-2019

SAO Time Card Fraud Conclusions 1-30-2019

The SAO has released the results of their investigation in to time card fraud.  A link is provided below for a PDF version.  Please contact County Auditor Matt Beaton at mbeaton@co.franklin.wa.us for any questions.

Franklin County Time Card Fraud

Click here to read the report:  SAO Timecard Fraud Conclusions 1-30-2019 PDF

Franklin County Election Results Final 11-27-2018

The Franklin County Canvassing Board certified the 2018 General Election today.  Below is our reconciliation sheet and a link to the individual election results.

2018 Franklin County General Election Reconciliation Form

To view election reconciliation sheet click here.

To view individual election results click here.

News Release Franklin County Making Progress on Aid to Veterans

NEWS RELEASE                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For information contact: Franklin County Auditor (509) 545-3840, auditor@co.franklin.wa.us, www.co.franklin.wa.us/auditor

Franklin County Making Progress on Aid to Veterans
Pasco, WA, November 2, 2018 — Franklin County is making progress in providing emergency assistance to Veterans who reside in the County. This following a 2018 State Auditor’s report that identified fraud, failures by oversight and broken laws.  The circumstances led to years of undeserving veterans and fraud as reported by the Tri-City Herald.

Franklin County Auditor, Matt Beaton, alerted the Washington State Auditor to the problem and an investigation ensued.  “Due to the work of the County Auditor Financial staff, this program is getting cleaned up. They helped discover and prosecute fraud and reached out to counties with similar programs around the state to develop “Best Practice” options for the New Advisory Board to consider,” Beaton said. “Ending the fraud and lack of oversight in this Veterans program is particularly satisfying.  Lots of people talk about helping others, the actions of these staff are leading to real improvement in services,” Beaton added.  A group committed to veterans has stepped up and are serving on the new Franklin County Veteran’s Advisory Board.  This Board will meet periodically and report to the Commissioners on the status of the program. 

Franklin County received a management letter from the Washington State Auditor’s Office as part of an accountability audit completed in April, 2018.  The Franklin County Auditor self-reported to the State Auditor that the county was out of compliance with the commissioners’ Veteran’s policy which required the commissioners establish a Veteran’s Advisory Board to assist with administering funds meant to provide emergency assistance.  As a result, the commissioners are focusing on improving the program.  They have now established an advisory board who is becoming active in assisting Veterans who reside in Franklin County with emergency aid including food, gas and housing.

Supporting documents:

ManagementLetter
Article
Appointments to the Franklin County Veterans Advisory Board

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