ONLY ON KIRO: State reveals how much fugitive owes taxpayers, victims

SEATAC, Wash. — Until Wednesday, former Snohomish County resident Randall R. Goins was a wanted fugitive hiding in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was running a debt collecting business and living under a bogus name.

KIRO 7 reporter Amy Clancy has been investigating Goins for nearly two years, and now the state refers to Goins as a "wage thief." Goins is accused of intentionally not paying workers for months, then going on lavish spending and gambling sprees.

But until KIRO 7 aired its first investigation, state officials didn't know Goins has a history of opening multiple debt collection agencies that were investigated and fined by the state for not paying employees. Those fines came in 2012.

On Thursday, Clancy found Goins owes $370,119 in wages, interest and penalties. Of that number, $198,889 is back wages and interest due to workers. The rest are penalties due to the State Department of Labor & Industries.

L&I has issued 108 citations overall to Goins' companies, and department staff said any money they receive will be paid to workers first.

Ten of his frustrated former employees were waiting at Sea-Tac International Airport, where Goins returned in handcuffs Wednesday night.

Bounty hunters found him in Florida, shackled him and flew him back to Seattle.

"He stole my paychecks, my earnings, and ruined Christmas for my kids," said Jennifer Kennedy, one of Goins' former employees, who waited Wednesday to confront Goins. "He's a con artist, who's deeply hurt hundreds of people."

"If I owe them, I will pay them," Goins told KIRO 7 Wednesday night. But his victims have doubts.

L&I previously said a business called Integral Acquisitions and Management Inc., or IAM, has been under investigation for not paying dozens of employees.

IAM was reportedly run by James Alexander. According to L&I, "James Alexander" is an alias for Goins. Then, months ago, Goins disappeared.

He left his house in Lynnwood and failed to appear in court last month to face charges for violating a no contact order.

That's why bounty hunters went to Florida: to find Goins and collect the $25,000 bond.

Goins, who has spent time in prison for shooting a man, also is wanted for multiple counts of failing to pay wages, taxes and child support.

"If he was going to pay it, why did he run?" asked Lawrence Anderson.

Nearly two years ago, Anderson was the first of many to contact KIRO 7 and say Goins owed him wages. That initial complaint lead to a months-long investigation during which KIRO 7 uncovered dozens of employees who claim Goins never paid them either.

"We hope his return to Seattle will be a step toward this goal," Elizabeth Smith, L&I assistant director of fraud and labor standards, said of Goins' return. "When you break the law and don't pay your workers, there should be consequences."

KIRO