Former Pasco Official Agrees to Pay $262,000 in Restitution

TRI-CITIES (AP) — The former director of the Downton Pasco Development Authority has agreed to pay $262,000 to cover the funds he embezzled from the agency.

The Tri-City Herald reports the restitution ordered was entered Tuesday for 37-year-old Michael Goins, who has already served his prison sentence in the theft case. He had been sentenced to a year in jail, but was released after about seven months.

A state audit released found that Goins stole more than $143,000 from the Pasco organization. Auditors also identified about $30,000 in questionable expenditures and nearly $55,000 in penalties.

Goins admitted to taking $90,000 as part of a plea agreement in April.

He's accused of using the stolen funds to pay for personal groceries, electronics, child support and trips to New Jersey.

Goins was fired in December.