King County Sheriff takes Reardon case

The King County Sheriff will conduct an investigation into a flurry of public records request, negative websites and other activity that appeared to target rivals of the Snohomish County Executive.

The public disclosure requests, made under assumed names, focused on people who cooperated with a State Patrol investigation of County Executive Aaron Reardon.

The Herald linked the records requests to staffers in Reardon’s office. Days later, Reardon announced he would resign in May, citing the political controversy surrounding his office. He called allegations leveled against his staff “false and scurrilous.”

After the Sheriff’s office completes its probe, the Skagit County Prosecutor will then review the findings to determine if laws were broken.

“I am confident that King County will provide the independent and thorough review of all allegations that our citizens and employees deserve,” Snohomish County Council chairwoman Stephanie Wright told The Seattle Times.