City Attorney warns McGinn's actions threaten 'dire consequences' in DOJ probe

BY Josh Kerns  on July 17, 2012 @ 4:34 am (Updated: 10:02 am - 7/17/12 )

pete_holmes.jpg
Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes warns Mayor Mike McGinn's handling of a DOJ investigation into police violence and bias is leading to a costly lawsuit and other problems. (My Northwest file photo) | Zoom
Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes has sent a stern warning to Mayor Mike McGinn about the way McGinn's office is handling police reforms with the Department of Justice.

Holmes says the strategy of trying to negotiate has put the city "on the verge of a civil-rights lawsuit that could have dire consequences," according to The Seattle Times.

In the letter sent Friday and obtained by the Times, Holmes admonishes the mayor's office for relying "too heavily" on the police department to craft an official response to the DOJ report finding a pattern of unnecessary force and racially biased policing by Seattle police.

The confidential letter warns the city has put too much attention on trying to paint the SPD as a victim and the DOJ as "a 'bully' seeking to impose a 'shadow chief' at an unverified, speculative cost."

Holmes said he does not see a need to replace Police Chief John Diaz as part of a settlement, saying he might be "precisely the individual" to carry out reforms.

The letter also criticizes the SPD's "20/20" reform plan touted by the mayor as an alternative to the sweeping changes proposed by the DOJ, saying it "lacks both substance and accountability, even in its implementation."

In a written statement, McGinn's spokesman Aaron Pickus declined to comment specifically on the letter.

"We are negotiating in good faith to achieve the goals of lasting reforms and effective policing, with an awareness of our budget constraints. These negotiations are ongoing."

Holmes declined to comment. In the letter, he warned the city is at "critical juncture" in talks with the DOJ and if mediation fails, the city "will face costly, burdensome, and risky litigation with the federal government."

Holmes reportedly sent the letter after the mayor's office rejected his suggestion to bring several city council members back into the negotiations.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
More Local News
Top Stories
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (14)


  • Add A Comment

  • ron prevost wrote...
    'on the verge of a civil rights law suit' ???????
    July 17, 2012 6:11 am
    McGinn's a LIBERAL. That automatically gives him a free pass. No matter WHAT he does. It's in the Progressive leadership handbook.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    The mayor might want to grow up
    July 17, 2012 6:33 am
    and start handling these problems as per the guidelines the DOJ has given him. This is not like a little kid, arguing with his parents until he gets what he wants.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dizzle wrote...
    As Usual...
    July 17, 2012 9:31 am
    Again, the trolls who are blinded by pre-fab hot-talk ideology can't even see the simple reality: This is what effective negotiation looks like.

    If this was Nickel's, he would have had the Chief pants down over his knee giving him a public spanking. But remember, Nickel's also "negotiated" away the Sonics by being so gullible and spineless.

    This Mayor is actually sticking up for the City without any regard for re-election or possible Federal appointments. Isn't that what you trolls are always on about? Giving the Feds the finger at the start of negotiation is a refreshing, unSeatle thing to do and I don't think the DOJ even knows what to do with it. It's awesome.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Demands to "reform" coming from Holder's office.
    July 17, 2012 7:07 am
    How ironic. Eric Holder is a criminal.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Alex Mason wrote...
    How does one, "Negotiate" with law enforcement.
    July 17, 2012 7:32 am
    Only if you're holding hostages? Well McSchwinn in a way is holding Seattle hostage.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    The mayor's office should weigh
    July 17, 2012 7:46 am
    the cost of reforming SPDs thuggery vs. litigation in Federal Court (then still having to reform).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Eric Holder is a criminal . . . .
    July 17, 2012 8:31 am
    kops are the criminals. Ask AJ Clown
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    Just hold out
    July 17, 2012 9:27 am
    Until the end of the year. Hopefully by then Holder will be unemployed and the Big-Daddy feds can go back to D.C....You know, the city with the highest crime rate in the nation. It's like taking career advice from a homeless drug addict.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    so the original facts of the DOJ probe is
    July 17, 2012 11:26 am
    invalid-- HOW????

    kind of like leaving the brake off of your own car, allowing it to roll down the hill towards people

    Then praising you as a hero for catching it and running it into a building instead of mowing down a group of children

    GOOD JOB city of Seattle-- NICE CATCH of that runaway car

    lets forget about the original cause of the problem -- "perhaps you should have set the Brake in the first place

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • monkeyal wrote...
    Food fights are fun to watch
    July 17, 2012 12:31 pm
    when all the parties are libs and dems.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chris Halliday wrote...
    Open and shut case
    July 17, 2012 1:02 pm
    This is an open and shut case. The Seattle cops have been blatantly found guilty of numerous civil rights violations. The mayor is the cops' representative so he will get the verdict, sentence, fines, and behave accordingly. He and his cops are nothing but a convicted criminals and the DOJ is the prosecuting attorney. It's that simple, end of negotiations.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }