STEVENSON, Wash. – The Skamania County auditor is under investigation for allegations that he misused $83,000 on travel expenses over the last two years.

State investigators are pouring over J. Michael Garvison’s travel expenses after allegations he used taxpayer money to fund extravagant trips and supplement his income.

Former Skamania County prosecuting attorney Bradley Andersen has a binder full of Garvison’s vouchers.

“He goes to Florida, charges us $5,000 to attend a Florida state conference,” Andersen said. “In one trip he spent more money than the previous auditor did in one year.”

Records show Garvison billed taxpayers for $51,000 in travel expenses last year. His job only pays $57,000 a year. This year he’s already racked up a reported $32,000 going to Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Montreal, and Florida. He even spent $10,000 in ten days.

“I think he’s traveling on the county’s dime, and he’s taking trips that the citizens are paying for,” said Andersen.

Garvison said it is all a misperception, and he’s not stealing money from the county.

“The state’s auditor’s office reviewed many of these things. We just had a clean audit,” he said from his home in Washougal.

County Commissioner Jamie Tolfree said no one knew what was going on because there are few checks and balances.

“We are responsible for ourselves (commissioners). The other elected officials are responsible for themselves, and we trust they are doing the right thing,” she said.

County commissioners said the lack of oversight will be corrected immediately.