King County Auditor Blows Whistle: Millions Missing, Billions at Risk in DCHS Fraud Scandal

Report details massive grant fraud inside King County department. Auditor finds lack of internal controls, poor oversight, kickbacks, fraud, embezzlement and rampant criminality. J425 summary.

SEATTLE – An audit conducted by the King County Auditor’s Office, released in August 2025 and updated in September 2025, reveals significant deficiencies in the financial stewardship of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS).

Amid rapid growth, with grant funding doubling from $922 million in 2019-2020 to over $1.8 billion in 2023-2024, D…