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City watchdog: Richmond elections office wasted money on high-end sofas, gun and bodyguards

The article from Richmond.com discusses a report by Richmond's Office of the Inspector General concerning allegations of fraud and abuse within the Richmond Office of Elections. The investigation was initiated following complaints about the management practices of Elections Director Keith Balmer. Key findings include Balmer's failure to follow proper procurement procedures, such as not obtaining necessary quotes for purchases and misusing a city credit card for personal expenses, which he later reimbursed. Additionally, there were issues with the handling of election equipment, where some machines were not properly maintained or accounted for. The report also highlighted a lack of transparency and oversight in the office's operations. Despite these findings, the Inspector General did not recommend criminal charges but suggested several administrative improvements to prevent future misconduct. The city's Chief Administrative Officer, Lincoln Saunders, has acknowledged the report and indicated that steps would be taken to address the issues raised.

Read the Full Richmond Article at [ https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/richmond-office-of-elections-keith-balmer-inspector-general-report-fraud-abuse/article_ea9bca94-ab55-11ef-9037-df2147de18ff.html ]