Skunk in the Woodpile? Port of Kennewick Commissioner David Hanson's overpayment of $1,171 for reimbursement of expenses over five years is all they could find? Really? Two law firms, one fraud investigator, uncountable Port of Kennewick staff time. Minor mistakes were found on both the part of the port and Hanson. And the conclusion states he "may (emphasis mine) have received overpayment." It further concludes there was no evidence of "any intentional misconduct or scheme of misrepresentation by Commissioner Hanson."

Oh, they also found expenses Hanson incurred that were not submitted and not reimbursed. And I would be surprised if the port spent less than $50,000 of our tax dollars in this investigation to find out there was no skunk in the woodpile. It does make great front page coverage and disparages one of the wonderful servants in the public sector.

And yes, Commissioner Hanson wrote a check for $1,171, which the port is holding awaiting the report on the findings of the state auditor's office. Ah, more great use of our tax dollars.

Carl Cadwell, Kennewick