OREGON CITY, Ore. - The Skamania County, Wash., auditor being investigated for expenses that in one year nearly matched his annual salary has accepted a new job with Clackamas County, Ore.

KATU has learned that J. Michael Garvison is expected to start his new post with the Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District beginning Monday, Nov. 9. The job is in Oregon City.

After seeing KATU's stories last week, the hiring board deferred Garvison's hiring to do its own investigation. However, on Monday night a spokesperson for the board told KATU they have hired Garvison as the district's chief financial officer.

Garvison is being investigated by the Washington state auditor for billing taxpayers for $83,000 worth of travel expenses over two years. On-the-record expenses include trips around the country, a first-class ticket to Canada, meals, even personal electronics.

A spokesperson for the Conservation District's board of directors said they question the conclusion that the expense money was misused. They know about the travel vouchers. Garvison signed them and turned them in for reimbursement himself.

"The board has done its due diligence," said Patti Jarrett, the hiring board chair in Clackamas County. "We have interviewed and done research and have concluded that the charges appear to be unfounded and politically motivated."

KATU asked another board member if the group has "any reservations at all" in light of the Washington state auditor's investigation that combed through Garvison's Skamania County office last week.

That board member indicated that they had no concerns after getting a sign-off on Garvison from the Conservation District's hiring board chair.

Boardmembers said they have reviewed the audits of Garvison's records back to 2002. The records have all of the information to support that there was no wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Garvison submitted a letter of resignation last week that said he wouldn't leave office until spring 2010, but KATU learned that Garvison submitted a new letter of resignation to Skamania County. The letter says that he will step down this Sunday.