Senator: State auditor should resign, gives elected officials a ‘black eye’

Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley may not have been found guilty by his peers of theft, money laundering and tax evasion, but Republican Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler believes Kelley still needs to resign.

And Schoelser told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson that any refusal to do so makes everyone else look bad.

“It gives every elected official from city hall to the executive branch a black eye when he lacks that integrity,” Schoesler said.

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Kelley was indicted on a federal theft and money-laundering case, making him the first Washington state official indicted in 35 years. However, he won at least partial vindication Tuesday when jurors failed to reach a verdict on 14 counts against him, including whether Kelley possessed stolen money, laundered money, and lied under oath in civil litigation or filed false income tax returns. The jury acquitted him of making a false statement.The lack of a verdict was important from Schoesler’s perspective.

Still, the lack of a verdict on the major indictments was important from Schoesler’s perspective.

“He’s violated the public trust,” he said. “Clearly, he wasn’t acquitted on 14 charges, they just didn’t come to a verdict.”

Schoesler is not alone in this view of Kelley, as Gov. Jay Inslee urged the auditor to step down when he was indicted last April. Save for an outside legislative session, Schoesler says there is little that can be done to force Kelley to resign. Still, he says the Democrats need to add more pressure.

“I think Troy Kelley’s party needs to clean up their house and send Troy their message,” he said. “…You have to discipline your own like you would discipline the other party.”

And if Kelley continues to resist all the calls for his removal?

“We certainly won’t be calling the auditor’s office as often as we might otherwise, which is very unfortunate after the leadership of Brian Sonntag,” Schoelser said. “We have a rudderless ship with no leadership now.”

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