IG report found 25 counts of waste, fraud or abuse in the Richmond election office
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Richmond's top election officials abused government resources, violated city policies and engaged in nepotism, according to a just-released report by the city inspector general.
Why it matters: Since 2021, the Richmond Office of Elections wasted nearly $500,000 of taxpayer's money, per WTVR's calculation.
The big picture: Richmond Inspector General James Osuna opened an investigation into the city elections office and its top official, General Registrar Keith Balmer, in response to a complaint alleging misconduct and nepotism, according to the report.
- Osuna's findings outlined 26 specific allegations of waste, fraud or abuse and his investigation substantiated 25 of them, according to the published review, first reported by The Richmonder and WTVR.
Zoom in... Among the 25 substantiated allegations:
- 🚽 Just under $230,000 in city funds was used to remodel the election office's leased space, including new flooring, reconstructed walls, interior painting and a remodel of Balmer's in-office bathroom. The purchases were split over 21 orders so as not to trigger the city's required competitive bidding process, the IG found.
- 🚨 $200,144 spent between January and May for private security services for the office and Balmer personally without going through proper procurement for city contracts and without evidence of concrete security threats to warrant the expense.
- 🖼️ More than $16,000 in "wasted city funds" on artwork for the office, including $2,500 each to three VCU art students to paint murals on the walls of the leased space.
- 🪞More than $14,000 for office furniture, including a $2,189.95 leather sofa from high-end local furniture store La Diff and $143.09 for Wayfair full-length floor mirror for Balmer's office.
- 🕹️ Multiple instances of misusing city-issued purchasing cards, including by buying alcohol, paying two employees' college tuition, exceeding daily per diem rates for meals, and other non-approved items, including lingerie, a video game controller, and a backpack garden sprayer.
- 🍻 Using city funds to purchase alcoholic beverages for staff — and allowing the consumption of them during work hours.
- 🔫 Using taxpayer money to buy a gun and "assorted security equipment" for a temp agency worker who was then made "an armed security guard," despite the worker or agency being licensed or insured for security work.
Of note: Balmer did not respond to a request for comment by press time, but he told WTVR earlier this year he would make changes in response to other investigations and their findings.
Be smart: The city's general registrar is appointed by and reports to the Richmond Electoral Board, but the city pays their salary and expenses and the office is subject to city personnel policies.
- Balmer was appointed to a four-year term in 2021.
What's next: The city Electoral Board will discuss the report at their next meeting on Dec. 4, The Richmonder reported.