Was Downtown Pasco Executive Living A “Double-Life?”

According to court documents and sources, the former Executive Director of the Downtown Pasco Development Authority may have been living, or tried to live, a double-life.

The  Washington State Auditor's Office said Thursday they may investigate the financial dealings of Michael Goins, who was arrested this week on theft charges. Prosecutor Sean Sant of Franklin County says Goins is suspected of stealing around $90K over two years, since he arrived from New Jersey and took on the Executive Directdor's position.

Goins, who initially had some solid successes in bringing back the Fiery Foods Festival and creating the popular food truck program, reportedly owed some $26,000 in back child support in New Jersey. Sources say, including our news partner KNDU-TV, his current wife believes he is living a double life. He was reported as a missing person in New Jersey in 2013.  Reports indicate authorities believe he left that state over similar accusations with a former employer. He settled a civil case over a similar type of theft with that company.

The Authority had no idea money might be missing until they discovered they were behind on their PUD bills, and IRS investigators informed them they owed some $50,000 in back taxes.  The Downtown Authority had received an accountability audit in 2014 and that showed no discrepancies. But the audit only focused on areas that present what is called the "highest risk" and didn't cover every single aspect of the Authorities finances.

Currently Goins is on suicide watch in the Franklin County jail, and is scheduled for another court appearance December 8th.  According to court documents, the probable cause papers said it appears Goins' favorite move was Catch Me If You Can, and he seemed to be pattering his life after that film.

The 2002 movie, starring Leonardo DeCaprio and Tom Hanks, was based upon the 1960's real-life story of Frank Abagnale, who before he turned 19, had successfully conned millions of dollars to himself by posing as a doctor in Georgia, a Louisiana parish prosecutor and airline pilot. He was so good at check fraud, the FBI eventually turned to him to help catch other check forgers.