The top election worker in Richmond, Virginia, allegedly wasted nearly $500,000 on a combination of alcohol, private security and efforts to create his own security staff, and the remodel and purchase of new furniture for leased office space, a report from the city’s watchdog agency claims.
The Richmond Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report on Monday revealing that Richmond General Registrar Keith Balmer is accused of wasting nearly $500,000 in taxpayer resources through a pattern of behavior that began in 2023.
Balmer (pictured above) allegedly made dozens of purchases in 2023, including approximately $16,000 worth of artwork purchased without proper approval and about $15,000 worth of high-end furniture, which the report claims Balmer purchased at luxury outlets despite more affordable options being available.
Richmond’s top election official is also accused of spending $200,144 on efforts to bolster his personal and office security, including paying two security guards to escort him to meetings. While the OIG report explains that Balmer justified this by citing a purported increase in threats toward election officials, the report maintains none of these threats were specific to Balmer or Richmond election officials.
According to the report, he also paid one company to investigate possibly broken election laws in violation of policies stating that only law enforcement may investigate such claims.
Balmer’s office allegedly became so overwhelmed by bills from the security companies contracted that he eventually left three invoices unpaid before requesting the Richmond City Council provide the funds.
The Richmond election official also allegedly used city resources to purchase a firearm for a temporary employee to serve as an impromptu security guard, despite being warned against the purchase, and the temporary employee being neither trained nor insured to provide security.
Outside the security expenses, Balmer’s largest expense was remodeling office space leased by its government office. According to the report, Balmer spent almost $230,000 on the remodel between August and November 2023.
He also stands accused of repeatedly purchasing food and alcohol for non-city employees using his government bank card during work hours, failing to document an employee’s unpaid leave time, and booking hotel rooms for individuals who either should not have received them or for more days than necessary.
According to the report, investigators examined 26 charges levied against Balmer and substantiated all but one.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Keith Balmer” by City of Richmond Office of Elections.
