New details: Now-resigned Richmond General Registrar had access to city purchasing card amid fraud investigation
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- City officials allowed Richmond's general registrar to spend city money while he was under investigation for fraud. This new information came to light less than a week after the official resigned from his position, effective Dec. 31. General Registrar Keith Balmer's city-issued purchasing card was suspended in May following allegations of wasting and misusing city funds. We now know that, even though Richmond's Inspector General's investigation into this matter has since backed up 25 of 26 of Balmer's city policy violations, May was not the last time Balmer was granted access to the card. 8News previously spoke with Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney about Balmer's resignation. "Here's the thing," Stoney said. "When you are in public service, you are every day trying to gain the trust of the voter and the taxpayer." Balmer's resignation followed an investigation led by Richmond's Office of the Inspector General. The report ultimately substantiated 25 of 26 violations against Richmond's top elections official. Many of these violations pertained to the use of city money. PREVIOUS: A deeper look as Richmond elections official defends actions that preceded resignation "It's my hope that the electoral board is on top of this moving forward," Stoney said last Wednesday. "[I'm] not saying 'micromanage,' but at least put the parameters in place that this sort of out-of-control spending does not occur." While Balmer's card was suspended in May and the inspector general's report came out in November, 8News learned Richmond procurement officials reactivated Balmer's card in September -- in the middle of the investigation. In a statement on why, the city said: "Due to the timing and the gravity of the upcoming needs of a national and local election, it was paramount that there were no obstacles to the registrar’s ability to conduct his activities." Spokesperson for the City of Richmond The spokesperson added that the city's Department of Procurement conducted weekly reviews of Balmer's spending during this time. "There should be some internal controls put in place, not just by the electoral board, but also by those on that team to ensure that that type of out-of-control spending doesn't happen again," Stoney said previously. While Richmond's Electoral Board said it's confident in the inspector general's report, Balmer consistently refuted many of the inspector's findings. Balmer answered questions from the media shortly following his resignation last Wednesday. 8News has since obtained access to a formal rebuttal letter, in which Balmer denied any intentional wrongdoing. "When all of this is over -- maybe towards my last day or whatnot -- then I will actually tell my story," Balmer said last Wednesday. Balmer's replacement has not been selected at this point, but it's clear there are a lot of changes happening in Richmond's administration. The city also confirmed on Monday that the city's Chief Administrative Officer will step down from his role at the end of this year.
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- City officials allowed Richmond's general registrar to spend city money while he was under investigation for fraud. This new information came to light less than a week after the official resigned from his position, effective Dec. 31.
General Registrar Keith Balmer's city-issued purchasing card was suspended in May following allegations of wasting and misusing city funds. We now know that, even though Richmond's Inspector General's investigation into this matter has since backed up 25 of 26 of Balmer's city policy violations, May was not the last time Balmer was granted access to the card.
8News previously spoke with Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney about Balmer's resignation.
"Here's the thing," Stoney said. "When you are in public service, you are every day trying to gain the trust of the voter and the taxpayer."
Balmer's resignation followed an investigation led by Richmond's Office of the Inspector General. The report ultimately substantiated 25 of 26 violations against Richmond's top elections official. Many of these violations pertained to the use of city money.
PREVIOUS: A deeper look as Richmond elections official defends actions that preceded resignation
"It's my hope that the electoral board is on top of this moving forward," Stoney said last Wednesday. "[I'm] not saying 'micromanage,' but at least put the parameters in place that this sort of out-of-control spending does not occur."
While Balmer's card was suspended in May and the inspector general's report came out in November, 8News learned Richmond procurement officials reactivated Balmer's card in September -- in the middle of the investigation. In a statement on why, the city said:
"Due to the timing and the gravity of the upcoming needs of a national and local election, it was paramount that there were no obstacles to the registrar’s ability to conduct his activities." Spokesperson for the City of Richmond
The spokesperson added that the city's Department of Procurement conducted weekly reviews of Balmer's spending during this time.
"There should be some internal controls put in place, not just by the electoral board, but also by those on that team to ensure that that type of out-of-control spending doesn't happen again," Stoney said previously.
While Richmond's Electoral Board said it's confident in the inspector general's report, Balmer consistently refuted many of the inspector's findings. Balmer answered questions from the media shortly following his resignation last Wednesday. 8News has since obtained access to a formal rebuttal letter, in which Balmer denied any intentional wrongdoing.
"When all of this is over -- maybe towards my last day or whatnot -- then I will actually tell my story," Balmer said last Wednesday.
Balmer's replacement has not been selected at this point, but it's clear there are a lot of changes happening in Richmond's administration. The city also confirmed on Monday that the city's Chief Administrative Officer will step down from his role at the end of this year.
