SUMMARY

Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton Cleared in Investigation Alleging Wrongdoing

Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton has been officially cleared of any misconduct following an investigation that many have called politically motivated. The probe, led by Snohomish County Special Prosecutor Elise Deschenes, was initiated after Beaton raised concerns over a $12,500 payment made to a management company overseeing the HAPO Center in Pasco. The payment, pushed through by former county administrator Mike Gonzalez, bypassed normal county procedures, prompting Beaton and other officials to withhold it for further scrutiny.

Gonzalez, who resigned shortly after to take a position in Sunnyside, filed a formal complaint against Beaton and others, claiming misuse of power. The timing of the complaint — coinciding with local election filings — led some to speculate that the investigation was designed to undermine Beaton’s credibility.

After a thorough review, the special prosecutor found no legal violations in Beaton’s actions. Beaton has maintained that the complaint was rooted in false claims and political maneuvering. His attorney, Scott Johnson, described the case as a "baseless effort to discredit a public servant committed to upholding transparency."

Beaton, who has served as Franklin County Auditor since 2011, reiterated his commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and holding officials accountable for responsible fiscal management. The case may have closed in Beaton’s favor, but it shines a light on the increasingly political nature of local government affairs in Franklin County.

Summary provided as an archive of the information in the case that the original article is unavailable.

FRANKLIN CONNECTION