A sweeping state investigation into the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food under the leadership of former Commissioner Kerry Gibson has identified potential problems with the cannabis grower selection process, inappropriate use of state cars and questionable travel practices.
And the problems called out by the audit extended to his handpicked staff.
Gibson’s former director of operations and agriculture programs, Natalie Callahan, and his former public information officer, Sasha Seegmiller Clark, owned and operated a public relations firm while they were working for the state agency. Auditors uncovered four instances in which Callahan and Seegmiller Clark seemed to be working for their private clients while on the clock at the agriculture agency.
Callahan claimed significantly more overtime than others who have occupied her position, according to the report. For instance, in one pay period, she claimed she’d put in nearly 90 hours per week.
The report also…
