The Olympia Washington Kiwanis members and their friends have cost the Washington State taxpayers over $50 million dollars (so far), because of their willful ignorance of long term, merciless and well known, child abuse that occurred at the Olympia Kiwanis Boys Ranch.

October 2006 note: This Olympia Kiwanis stuff is old news. I've left this information on the web, because I like the thought that someone will say to one of these Kiwanis friends or members: "Grandma, (Grandpa), are you still friends with those Olympia Kiwanians?"

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--part 1----part 2----part 4--
-THE COURT REPORTER: Question: "And if you had looked at audit documents, you could have learned that there was substantial dispute concerning the youths physically and sexually abusing other residents and staff physically abusing youths, did you not?"
MR. PAUL: I'll ask a question, Counsel.
Q (By Mr. Paul) If you had taken it upon yourself during the time this audit was being performed, you could have learned the issues that were being investigated by DSHS; is that correct?
A If I had read the audit after it had been completed, and I may have done that, I just don't recall, then I would have known, yes. I would have known what was in the audit.
Q And the audit was completed when?
A I don't remember when.
Q It was before my clients were involved in the orgies of June 1992 and July 1992; is that correct?
A I don't remember.
MR. LAW: Counsel, I'm going to object to the form of that question, and now you're getting into a totally argumentative statement with your questions.
A I don't know anything about any orgies, and I don't remember the time frame.
MR. LAW: You haven't even asked her about anything that happened in this period.
MR. PAUL: We'd like you, Mr. Law, to note your objection to the form, but not try to rub me off the path of investigating this case.
Q (By Mr. Paul) Did you attend a Board of Directors meeting, Judge Dubuisson, on September 19, 1990, that being the Board of Directors of the O.K. Boys Ranch?
A I may have, but I don't remember the exact date.
Q Let's see if we can pass around what we will mark as the exhibit next in your deposition. (Deposition Exhibit No. 4 marked for identification)
Q Do you have Exhibit 4 in front of you, Judge Dubuisson?
A Yes, I do.
Q Does that again refer to the DSHS audit at line 6 of paragraph 6?
A Yes. Yes, it does.
Q Were you aware at the time these minutes were generated that the initial amount that the State asserted was owing was $120,000?
A I know we discussed how much it was, I would not recall, unless I looked at these minutes, how much exactly.
Q As of September 1990 you were advised that this dispute was, at least at this time, ranging from $120,000 to $80,000 in magnitude; is that correct?
MR. LAW: Object to the form.
A According to the minutes, the amount was reduced from $120,000 to $79,000, and I feel certain that that's probably an accurate reflection of what we discussed.
Q (By Mr. Paul) This was not a small matter, a few dollars was it?
A No.
Q What's the annual budget for the - annual operating budget for the O.K. Boys Ranch in approximate terms?
A I'm sorry, I could have told you that a year ago, but I don't know.
Q Does $300,000 to $400,000 on an annual basis sound about right for salaries and maintenance cost for the children?
A I would prefer not to guess. I really don't know.
Q Do you want to take a break?
A Well, I don't really need a break. I prefer to be able to leave earlier, but it's up to counsel. MR. KELLEY: Let's take a break.
MR. PAUL: It's not going to affect your departure time, and we won't keep you past what we've agreed to before.
THE WITNESS: Okay. :(Recessed at 4:18 p.m.). (Reconvened at 4:28 p.m.)
Q (By Mr. Paul) As of August 1991 you were on the Board of the Directors of Kiwanis Club of Olympia; is that right?
A I don't remember the dates that I was on the Board of the Kiwanis Club, but they may be true.
Q Let me pass you a document that I think will help refresh your recollection, and we'll mark it as Exhibit 5. (Deposition Exhibit No. 5 marked for identification)
Q (By Mr. Paul) Were you at the Board of Directors meeting for Kiwanis Club in August of 1991?
A According to the minutes I was, so I'm sure that's correct.
Q When do they elect their annual slate of officers?
A The administrative year for the club is from October through September, and I believe that the slate of officers is elected sometime in the summer before. I can't be more specific than that right now.
Q So, more probably than not, you were at least on as of October 1990, is that right?
A Yes, that's probably right.
Q And perhaps earlier?
A Possibly.
Q And this audit was percolating along through the end of the calendar year 1989 with no real conclusion?
A Now, I could only refresh my memory by referring to the minutes that you've already given me. What was the date you said again?
Q Well, I'm just talking generally. At end of the year 1989, it was still not resolved.
A Well, the minutes that you've given me are from September of 89, and as of that time, it was still in dispute. I thought I saw another set of minutes here that referred to the audit. Perhaps not.
Q There is another one, Judge Dubuisson.
A So I don't know. It was probably toward the end of the year in 1989, we were still dealing with the audit.
Q And we'll pass what we're soon to mark Exhibit 6. This indicates still in January of 1990 it was unresolved; is, that correct?
MR. LAW: Well, let her get a chance to look at it.
A Well, the minutes reflected there's no news on the audit thus far, so, yes, that would indicate that it was still open.
Q (By Mr. Paul) And that's when? A The minutes that you've just given me are January 17, 1990.
Q And on through Exhibit 4, if you have that in front of you, you'll see--
A I'm sorry. My exhibits aren't marked, so what is it you're referring to?
Q I'm referring to Exhibit 4, dated September 19, 1990.
A Okay.
Q The issue of the audit was still in dispute, wasn't it?
A Yes. Well - excuse-me - the minutes say that the audit had been reduced at this point in the negotiation, -so, yes, it was still going on.
Q And then, in October of 1990, you made a budget request to the Kiwanis Club for $8,000 for the O.K. Boys Ranch?
A Do I have something that refers to that specifically?
Q I'll be-happy to give it to you, if you need it.
MR. LAW: Is that a question, Counsel? (Deposition Exhibit Nos. 6 7 marked for identification)
Q (By Mr. Paul) Judge Dubuisson, in October of 1990, you asked the Kiwanis Club of Olympia for $8,000 on behalf of O.K. Boys Ranch Inc., correct?
A Well, the exhibit that you've given me are the minutes from the Boys Ranch meeting of October 17 at which time I was authorized to make the request. So whether the request of the Board of Kiwanis Club was in October or November, I don't remember, but it would.have been probably one of those.
Q Approximately October of 1990 you made this budget request?
A. Yes.
Q Did you, at that point in time, investigate about what the State, DSHS, had been auditing for the period of several months before concerning alleged sexual abuse, physical abuse, and financial impropriety?
MR. LAW: Object to the form of the question.
MR. PAUL: Go ahead.
A What I said before is still true. I don't remember all of what you're asking me about. And I can't add anything to my response than what I've already said about the audit.
Q (By Mr. Paul) You may not remember anything independently, but at this point in time, sitting here today, you know that (-----) had been warned eight to ten times about rough handling of the boys; did you not know?
A We were advised of that at one of our meetings.
MR. LAW: Excuse me. Counsel, I'm going to entertain an objection to - you're all hunched over the table. Now, wait a minute.
MR. PAUL: You're hunched over the table too. Get---
MR. LAW: All of a sudden you leap forward and you're halfway across the table, leaning forward with your hands out. Why don't you just ask your questions in an appropriate fashion.
MR. PAUL: If I take a plumb bob, Mr. Law, you're far - just - your objection is noted. Your objection is noted.
MR. LAW: Just go ahead and ask your question, and please slow up.
Q (By-Mr. Paul) You knew at the time you made this request for $8,000 that (----) had been warned eight to ten times for excessive violence against the children at the Ranch?
MR. LAW: Object to the form.
A I'm looking for the minutes that show the information about (----) , I'm sorry.. Could you tell me which because the only way I remember any of these dates is by referring to the minutes that you've given me.
Q (By Mr. Paul) And that's why, for the last one hour and a half, I've laid each minute in front of you.
A Okay, and could you show me again. I'm sorry, I can't find where it refers - oh, here we go. I'm sorry. I don't know which exhibit this is, but it's the minutes of Wednesday of (----) on (----) we had been advised that (----) had been warned eight to ten times about his rough handling of the boys. Yes, that is correct, on that day we were advised of it.
Q And you knew there was a dispute with the State involving $80,000, at least, of disputed services provided by the O.K. Boys Ranch, correct?
MR. LAW: Object to the form.
A I knew there was an audit that had indicated a discrepancy, an alleged discrepancy that the State felt was in existence, yes.
Q (By Mr. Paul) And this alleged discrepancy was not a $5,000 or $6,000 discrepancy. It was a major discrepancy involving in the neighborhood of six figures; is that correct?
A I remember that it started out much larger than it ended up. So, it was an alleged discrepancy, yes. I knew there was an allegation about that from the State.
Q And when you sat on the Board of Directors of O.K. Boys Ranch, you did nothing to investigate this yourself; is that correct?
MR. LAW: Object to the form; misstates her testimony.
A To investigate what?
Q (By Mr. Paul) To investigate this audit yourself. Is that correct?
A I personally did not investigate the Boys Ranch in reference to what was going on with the audit, that is correct.
Q Did you question Mr. VanWoerden about where this $8,000 was going to go?
A Now, are you talking about $8,000 I was going to request from the Kiwanis Board?
Q Yes, I am.
A The Board discussed with Mr. VanWoerden where the $8,000 was going to go, yes.
Q And there was no written request for funding from Mr. VanWoerden, was there?
A From the Kiwanis Board?
Q Mr. VanWoerden produced nothing in writing to you itemizing what this $8,000 would be used for, did he?
A I do not recall anything in writing itemizing it.
Q And for 10 years Mr. VanWoerden came to the boards of Kiwanis Club of Olympia and asked for $8,000; isn't that correct?
MR. LAW: Object to the form.
MR. PAUL: Go ahead.
A I don't know how much he asked for for 10 years. I know how much he asked or we asked for in October of 1990.
Q (By Mr. Paul) So you had no knowledge of what Mr. VanWoerden's funding requests had been historically?
MR. LAW: Object to the form.
A Mr. VanWoerden didn't, during my term on the Board that I recall, didn't go to the Board specifically and make a request. The request was made through the Board of the O.K. Boys Ranch for funding from the Olympia Kiwanis .
Q (By Mr. Paul) You knew in January of 1991 that boys had recently been in trouble in the community from their behavior; is that correct?
A I'm sorry. Are you referring - are you referring - this is January of 1990?
Q I'm referring now, Judge Dubuisson, to January of 1991.
A Do I have something to refresh my memory on that issue? Mr. Paul, I'm sorry, but these are - we met monthly for six years that I was on the Board, and, I'm sorry, I cannot recall an individual meeting.
Q Judge Dubuisson, what was going on at the O.K. Boys Ranch while you were on the Board, as far as you know?
MR. LAW: Object to the form.
MR. PAUL: Go ahead.
A Can you be more specific?
MR. LAW: Yeah, Counsel. I don't see how she can be expected to answer a question like that, Counsel. "What was going on?"
MR. PAUL: Well, you know, I don't either based on what she's said today.
MR. LAW: Well, then, if you don't know what it is, why are you asking that question?
MR. PAUL: Because I'm determining the existence of this witness's knowledge or lack of same concerning her period of time on the Board of Directors which is the reason that I've been hired to represent my clients in this.case.
Q (By Mr. Paul) Judge, what was the function of the O.K. Boys Ranch?
A The function of the Boys Ranch was to be a group home for boys within a certain age group under the terms of its contract with the State.
Q And it was obligated to follow certain terms of the contract with the State, was it not?
A Yes.
Q And it was obligated to follow regulations promulgated by, among other agencies, the DSHS?
A Yes, that's right.
Q As you sit here today do you have any information to indicate that the O.K. Boys Ranch, under the direction of Tom VanWoerden, did not follow the contract requirements or the regulations?
A Could you - that's a very broad question, and I don't know - specifically what are you,asking me? Under what particular terms or--
Q Judge Dubuisson, have you any information concerning whether the O.K. Boys Ranch failed to comply with requirements in its contract with DSHS?
--part 1----part 2----part 4--

Below is an e-mail I received from a former Olympia, Washington resident.

From: ~~~~~~~~@aol.com
To: Louis Bloom manaco@whidbey.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 11:34 AM
Subject: OKBR
Just came across your pages and felt the urge to respond... In the early 80's (81-83) I was at the OKBR frequently as a young kid walking to/from school, I became friends with some of the boys. At one point a small boy confided to me that he was being raped by another boy in the home. The abusing boy talked about it openly!
Days later I walked the victim to OPD where we both gave statements. Later that evening I began to receive these incredibly threatening phone calls from a woman employee of the ranch who's name I believe was Paulette at my home. She kept calling over and over screaming at me calling me names. It was horrible. I thought I was helping someone. Nothing came of it. Then all these years later, it all comes out ... one of the boys that I had known there left as a young adult and still couldn't get it together, he eventually killed himself. As an adult now I don't often think back to those times but it still saddens me. All those boys that needed a safe nurturing place to be, and how many of them were better off for having been taken there? It's not about money. It cost these boys their lives, their souls, their trust. Those people who knew, who didn't care, they should feel such shame. Just my opinion.

From: louis a bloom manaco@whidbey.net
To: ~~~~~~~@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: OKBR
thanks for your e-mail. from what i've read, dshs, the olympia police department, and other "authorities" didn't consider child on child rape to be against the law. it was considered "normal experimentation". The "paulette" you mention, may have been Collette Queener who was an assistant director at the OKBR. Collette, OKBR Director Tom Van Woerdan, and OKBR counselor Laura Rambo Russell were ineptly charged by Wa. St. with "criminal mistreatment for failing to stop abuse". The charges were dismissed by Thurston County Judge Daniel Berschauer on technicalities. The lawyer who represented Collette Queener said, (Nov. 14, 1996 Olympian), that it was a "witch hunt", and that " a more innocent person (than Queener) you could not have for a client. She's an ex-nun ..... I don't see how you could view her in an evil or negative light."
I congratulate you for doing the right thing, when all those adults looked the other way. I repeat on most pages that the " OKBR has cost the Washington State taxpayers over $35 million dollars (so far)", because I think most people don't care about the kids involved, but they may care that it has cost them (taxpayers) money.
louis bloom

There were many obvious and long-term warnings about the 1970-94 child abusing Olympia Kiwanis Boys Ranch.