TACOMA — State auditors believe the former head of the Special Commitment Center for sex offenders violated the “revolving door law” by working under a contract he helped negotiate.
Psychologist Henry Richards led the center on McNeil Island between 2004 and 2009 and approved the renewal of contracts with the University of Washington for consultation, research and training.
After leaving, Richards went to work as a UW subcontractor and was paid more than $21,000 in 2009 and 2010.
Richards denies doing anything improper.
He told The News Tribune he worked on the project at the state’s request.
State law forbids former state employees from working under a contract they negotiated, within a year of leaving the state payroll.
