MLSD votes to press charges, but communication errors seem to be the cause

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District held an executive session during its Oct. 4 meeting and afterward came out to vote regarding transferring a case from Moses Lake Police Department regarding former Moses Lake School District Superintendent Josh Meek and financial issues that led to his departure from the district. However, the issue appears to be based on miscommunication between MLPD and the school district.

“So, as the public knows, we are in receipt of a report from the State Auditor's Office that details the potential criminal acts of Mr. Meek, and it has become apparent that the Moses Lake Police Department is not going to investigate the matter,” Board Member Amy Breitenstein said. “I would like to make a motion at this time as a board that we request that the Moses Lake Police Department forward the matter to another agency.”  

The board passed the motion unanimously.   

However, Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Sands said the school board does not appear to have accurate information.   

“What they’re saying is false,” Sands said. “It’s patently wrong.”  

Sands said MLPD had investigated starting late last year after receiving a notice from the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office and communicating with former MLSD Superintendent Monty Sabin, Meek’s successor. Sabin had indicated that the district was considering whether to pursue charges and the case was put on hold pending communication from the district.  

About two weeks ago, Sands said MLSD Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis had contacted him, and he had asked her to provide more information on the district’s wishes in the matter via email along with the full report received from the State Auditor’s Office. That has not happened, according to Sands, and therefore the department has put the case on hold.   

Meek’s Attorney Robert Schiffner, who spoke on behalf of his client, said the board appeared to be unaware of other factors as well.  

“Earlier this year, the Moses Lake Police Department conducted a comprehensive investigation into a referral from the school board into Dr. Meek. They forwarded a large volume of information to the prosecutor’s office,” Schiffner said.   

Meek’s case was submitted to the prosecutor’s office over the summer, and he had received notice that the County Prosecutor Kevin McCrae had reviewed the file and opted not to prosecute the case, issuing notice on the matter to MLPD in April of this year. Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Carole L. Highland confirmed the case was filed, however, the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to file charges. 

According to an email Highland sent to Detective Juan Serrato at the MLPD the Washington State Office of the Auditor reported that the $4,232.91 in costs spent on the MLSD credit card were of personal nature. Meeks paid the school district the $4,232.91; however, it was past the 30-day window in which the MLSD policy states any personal purchases must be paid back. However, that did not appear to have criminal intent and Meek corrected the issue once he was made aware of it. 

“This means that the State would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dr. Meeks intended not to pay back the school district within 30 days, rather than simply being negligent or reckless in not doing so,” Highlands' statement read. “I cannot say that it is probable that a reasonable fact finder would make that finding beyond a reasonable doubt.” 

Highland then states that any civil issues such as stipends and other things MLSD and Meek had disagreed upon were not criminal and had been settled already. Meek’s attorney agreed. 

The school district and  Meek have already come to a civil legal agreement on Meek’s departure and there is no standing for either party to pursue a civil lawsuit, Schiffner said. Additionally, with the prosecutor’s decision not to prosecute in this situation, the matter should be completely closed. 

Lewis was called regarding this story, and she said that the school district never received the prosecuting documents which she attributed to part of the confusion she and the MLSD board were facing. Lewis said she would speak with Sands to clear up any confusion in the situation, stating that it was likely best that everyone have the issue finalized. 

“I would, I would prefer all of this to just go away so we could move ourselves forward and not worry about it any longer,” Lewis said. 

The Columbia Basin Herald will follow up with all parties as appropriate as this issue is resolved among them.