Warrant details alleged embezzlement by Algona police officer

The interim police chief in Algona has been arrested in the theft of money from a youth program.

By Natasha Chen

ALGONA, Wash. — A search warrant filed in an embezzlement case shows that the former interim Algona police chief was under internal investigation for improper hiring. The document also shows the fund he is accused of stealing from, the South Valley Police Explorers, was used for youth in Algona, Pacific and Sumner.

The document states Lee Gaskill had formed a police explorer program in 2009, meant for youth who are interested in training to become police officers. In 2011, an interagency local agreement was made between the cities of Sumner, Pacific and Algona, to form a joint explorers program. He is now accused of stealing more than $7,000 from the fund.

The search warrant states that when Gaskill was removed from his chief position, "video surveillance captured Gaskill as he went into his office…taking stacks of papers and going to the records room where the shredder is located. Gaskill can be seen shredding documents and making copies."

The document continues to say that the Chevy Tahoe assigned to Gaskill no longer had the city of Algona listed on the registration. Instead, a name used by Gaskill on his undercover ID was on the registration.

The list of items and locations of purchases, that investigators said did not link to official explorers programming, include:

1.  Promag 380 20-round gun magazine at Discount Guns
2.  Home theatre system with 8-inch wireless subwoofer at Fry's Electronics
3.  Red Lion Hotel in Pasco
4.  10x10 shade tech canopy at Home Depot
5  Gas at 76 station
6.  Inflatable towable boat at Costco
7.  Ben Franklin Frame Shop
8. Blumethals Uniforms
9. Gift cards at Sam's Club
10. Doughnut shops
11. Restaurants
12. Department stores
13. Dry cleaners

The warrant states that when officers went to Gaskill's house to pick up items purchased for the explorer program, Gaskill's wife handed over small appliances like a popcorn maker, hot dog bun warmers, and cooker. She also handed officers four cashier's checks, dated after Gaskill was put on administrative leave.

They totaled $19,206 that Gaskill said he was saving up to buy a car for the explorers.

Investigators wrote that they interviewed other board members of the explorer program, who had no knowledge of this plan.