CORRUPTION IN RIO DELL: INVESTIGATION BECOMES PUBLIC RECORD

By: Allie Norton
 
Almost three years after a Rio Dell Public Works Director resigned his position, the public record of his investigation is released.
 
In 2009 Jim Hale resigned his position after allegations surfaced of him abusing his power and a number of misconducts.
 

Steve and Sharon Wolff noticed there were closed-door meetings being held during city council and decided to look into it.

 
“Rumors were going on around town on the works,” said Sharon Wolff. “But nothing made public whatsoever.”

 
An outside firm for the city then conducted an independent investigation. After 40 people were interviewed, more than 20 allegations were found.

 
“The report goes into 22 to 24 separate allegations into problems in public work department including missing money, missing equipment, things such as 32,000 worth of grinding materials and a public works truck that was traded for a gun,” Wolff said. 

 
Since then, the Rio Dell city personnel have been replaced.

 
Current Rio Dell City Manager Jim Stretch said that the city is moving forward and is taking measures to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

 
Wolff said she hasn’t seen a change.

 
"Certainly nothing has happened to date, but we will see," Wolff said.