Looks like the Washington State Wine Commission is drinking its way to trouble. A report released this week by State Auditor Brian Sonntag's office found questionable spending on meals, drinks, and other expenses at the state agency, including splurging $4,922 on a commissioner's going away party.

The wine commission represents licensed wineries and wine grape growers in our state and is funded almost entirely by the wine industry, through assessments based on wine and grape sales. The commission's revenue for June 2008-July 2009 was $3.9 million.

The party for the unnamed commissioner was just one of several payments that "did not appear to be for valid business purposes," the report said. Other questionable expenses include $1,080 for wine during a dinner with 12 employees, 13 commissioners and four non employees at the annual board retreat. The commission also spent $778 on ordering dinner during a board retreat which lacked itemized receipts, and $696 on wine during staff meals which were unrelated to promotional hosting.

The audit was not able to determine whether the commission had permission to spend an additional $4,465 for meals during meetings and travel. The commission says that is has already taken steps to ensure review and approval of all expenditures and has established a Finance Committee to improve accountability and oversight.

The wine commission could not be reached for comment on the audit.

The state's beer and wine industries are spending a lot of money on overturning the two liquor privatization initiatives that will be on the November ballot for fear of competition. Individual state winemakers are split on the initiatives, however. Wine commission spokesman Ryan Pennington told The Stranger that as a state agency the wine commission cannot support initiatives, but it is working closely with the Washington Wine Institute, which opposes I-1100, the initiative supported by Costco.