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Mossyrock city official jailed for alleged theft

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Mossyrock’s city clerk was arrested yesterday afternoon for first-degree theft and misappropriation by a public official.

Doneia A. Santiago was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

The Morton Police Department, which handles law enforcement services for the small central Lewis County city, is investigating.

Morton Police Chief Roger Morningstar said this morning he couldn’t yet discuss the case, because it is ongoing.

He said he began looking into it as soon he was informed of an issue by Mossyrock Mayor Thomas Meade.

“Mayor Meade was very quick to get on board as soon as he was notified by the bank,” Morningstar said.

The community of some 750 people employs just three individuals full time at city hall, according to the most recent report from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. It operated on revenues of approximately $762,000 in 2014.

Santiago was listed as the clerk-treasurer in the report issued on Nov. 16 of last year. The 53-year-old resides in Salkum.

The accountability audit report on the city’s compliance and safeguarding of public resources stated that in most areas audited for the 2014 calendar year, the city was in compliance.

“However, we noted certain matters that we communicated to city management in a letter dated November 10, 2015, related to cost allocation,” the audit’s authors wrote. “We appreciate the city’s commitment to resolving those matters.”

Santiago is tentatively scheduled to appear this afternoon at 4 p.m. in Lewis County Superior Court.