April 27, 2026
Amid an ongoing investigation and allegations of potential fraud by grantees funded by the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski this morning introduced legislation, co-sponsored by Councilmember Reagan Dunn, Council Chair Sarah Perry, and Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, to establish an Inspector General Division within the Office of Public Complaints and Tax Advisor. The proposal is intended to strengthen the County’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud, waste, and abuse involving county-administered funds.
The legislation builds on last year’s King County Council vote approving a comprehensive reform package to overhaul oversight of taxpayer-funded grants within DCHS. That action followed an audit—called for by Dunn—and an ongoing investigation by the Office of the Ombuds, which identified widespread…
These frauds exploit emotional vulnerability and trust rather than technical weaknesses.
- Romance Scams: Scammers build long-term online relationships with victims, eventually fabricating a “crisis” (medical emergency, legal trouble, or travel costs) that requires the victim to send money.
- Pig Butchering: A hybrid scam where the criminal builds a romantic or platonic relationship to eventually “tutor” the victim in a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment.