SEATTLE — A King County initiative designed to keep young offenders out of jail is facing scrutiny after a recent audit raised serious concerns over how taxpayer dollars are being spent .
Instead of incarceration, many children and teens in trouble are referred to juvenile diversion programs run by a local nonprofit focused on healing and rehabilitation. But a new audit questions whether those programs responsibly manage public funds.
Earlier this month, a study revealed that more than half of the youth referred to the program commit another crime within two years. That finding prompted the King County prosecuting attorney to temporarily stop referring offenders to the program.
County Councilmember Reagan Dunn said the audit he requested is raising even more red flags. Among the fi