Embezzling downtown Pasco official released from prison

The downtown Pasco official sentenced in April to a year in prison for embezzling at least $90,000 was released from prison Thursday for serving his term.

Michael A. Goins could still see more time behind bars, however, if state officials find he stole more money.

Goins, former executive director of the Downtown Pasco Development Authority, spent about three months in the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, according to state corrections officials.

He received credit for the roughly five months he spent in the Franklin County jail before he was sentenced. He also had time taken off his sentence for good behavior while in state custody.

The Washington State Auditors Office is still poring over the downtown authority’s books to make sure Goins didn’t steal any additional money from the organization.

Franklin County Prosecutor Shawn Sant said he’s not heard if the state has found further theft, but reiterated his previous statements to hold Goins responsible if more money is discovered missing.

“We’ll see where the numbers come in,” Sant said.

Goins was hired in July 2013. He started spending agency funds for personal use shortly after, paying for groceries, utilities at his Richland home and trips to New Jersey to visit his two kids.

It all came to a head in late 2015, when Goins no longer could delay queries from the IRS about unpaid taxes, and agency board members discovered outstanding bills on numerous accounts.

The downtown association is partially funded by taxpayer dollars. It oversees the Pasco Farmers Market and Pasco Specialty Kitchen, and coordinates events like the Cinco de Mayo celebration and the Fiery Foods Festival.

Goins was fired in December 2015, a couple of weeks after his arrest.

When he pleaded guilty Jan. 5 to first-degree theft with aggravating factors, the plea deal hinged on the embezzlement amount not exceeding $150,000.

Officials with the state auditor’s office said they are still in the midst of their investigation. More information could be available in several weeks.

Sant said he’s not had any updates from the state about their review and cannot say whether Goins could face additional charges.

Goins is due back in court in September, which is when the restitution he’ll owe to the downtown authority will be determined.

Neither Sant nor Mike Miller, treasurer and former president of the downtown authority’s board, were surprised at Goins’ release, understanding that he was eligible to get time off his sentence for good behavior, they said.

Miller said the release is disappointing, as his organization is still rebuilding from Goins’ actions, including owing at least $25,000 to the state auditor’s office for its review, an expense not covered by insurance.

But the downtown authority is up to date on its bills and the organization’s Cinco de Mayo event helped bring the organization back from the brink, Miller said.

Events scheduled over the next few months, as well as an insurance payout, will help stabilize the agency.

“We’re doing a lot of catchup,” Miller said.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 8:09 PM with the headline "Embezzling downtown Pasco official released from prison."