Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 5, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke orders independent audit of refugee group

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke Friday directed the state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to conduct an independent audit of the Refugee Federation Service Center of Seattle, following newspaper articles that raised questions about the centers.

Locke also directed DSHS to develop and implement oversight guidelines for contract performance monitoring in the agency, provide staff training on contract compliance and monitoring and institute a random audit of contract review program.

"The information provided to me by DSHS on Refugee Federation Service Center demonstrated a well-developed contract compliance program and no immediate evidence of irregularities on the part of the Refugee Federation," Locke said. "But I believe there is also room for improvement in some areas of the contract monitoring program to ensure the appropriate use of public funds."

The Department of Social and Health Services is to present an interim report to Locke by March 5.

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