Former Tacoma Urban League volunteer and real‑estate managing broker Corey Orvold was notified late last month that the Washington Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has closed its investigation into her allegations of self‑dealing within the Tacoma Urban League (TUL). Orvold, who first raised concerns about the league’s handling of Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) grants in 2023, said the AG’s office told her it lacks authority to investigate alleged misuse of taxpayer‑funded charitable donations.
According to Newslinelocal.com, Orvold provided the AG’s office with about a dozen emailed links to documents that she said demonstrated TUL members directing grants and loans to family members and close associates. After a year of reviewing publicly available information, the AG’s office concluded the matter fell outside the Consumer Protection Division’s jurisdiction because the funds in question were “taxpayer money” rather than charitable contributions.
In an email to Orvold, assistant AG Joshua Studor wrote, “I can only address what I have direct knowledge of, which is the investigation conducted by the Consumer Protection Division… I cannot confirm or deny that any referrals to any other AGO division or state agency occurred or will occur.” He added, “I would like to reiterate our thanks for bringing these issues to our attention; I am sorry the result of our investigation is frustrating to you.”
Orvold, who stepped down from the league after discovering the alleged improprieties, criticized the decision, saying, “Anyone with Google access can find these houses… the fraud is public record… The AG’s office didn’t want to meet with me.” She indicated she hopes to bring the matter before Pierce County prosecutors.
State Senator Keith Goehner, R‑Dryden, responded to the closure by backing Senate Bill 6167 during the 2026 legislative session. The bill would prohibit multiple grants or funding streams from being awarded to the same developer or individual, aiming to close the loophole Orvold highlighted. According to Everettpost.com, the bill has not received a public hearing from the majority‑party Democrats.
Goehner told The Center Square in a Nov. 5 phone interview, “I think the bigger issue we have right now is whether the attorney general takes his job seriously… I’m totally blown away by the fact that they don’t want to even look into it.” He urged voters to hold the AG accountable in the next election.
What’s next: Senate Bill 6167 is expected to be debated in the state Senate later this year, though no hearing date has been set. Orvold says she will pursue a review by Pierce County prosecutors, while the AG’s office has not indicated any further action.
Sources: newslinelocal.com, everettpost.com
