Investigation into Snohomish County Executive on hold

A new investigation into the 2011 campaign practices of the Snohomish County Executive is on hold.

The state Public Disclosure Commission revealed plans last summer to examine allegations that Executive Aaron Reardon improperly used his staff and a state-issued cell phone for campaign purposes.

But a commission spokeswoman tells the Herald the agency is still working on several time-sensitive cases involving the 2012 election and has also taken in 100 new complaints since July. Many of those are higher priority than the Reardon case.

On top of that, the election watchdog agency has lost half its investigative staff. It appears the Reardon case will have to wait until next year.

The Washington State Patrol concluded a criminal investigation of Reardon’s actions without filing charges, but a possible recall election is still in the works with a court hearing scheduled for Dec. 5.