Key events during the investigation of Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.
Nov. 3, 2011
The Washington State Patrol confirms rumors of an investigation into Reardon’s travel using public money. Reardon calls a press conference to insist he is the victim of a political smear. Few details are released.
State Patrol investigating County Executive Aaron Reardon (The Herald)
Nov. 8, 2011
Reardon wins a third four-year term, defeating his general election opponent, state Rep. Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens.
Reardon coasting past Hope in race for county executive (The Herald)
Nov. 15, 2011
Records obtained by The Herald show the investigation began in late October after a female county employee went to the County Council chairman. She claimed to fear Reardon.
Whistle-blower fears County Executive Aaron Reardon, newly released notes say (The Herald)
Nov. 16, 2011
The woman, Tami Dutton, decides to speak with The Seattle Times. She alleges that Reardon, who is married, took her on county business trips as part of a long-running affair. She is not named in the story.
Reardon used county trips for affair, employee says (The Seattle Times)
Nov. 17, 2011
Seattle Weekly names Dutton and publishes information from people who claim to have found evidence of an affair. Dutton and Reardon had been romantically linked for months on a website that popped up during the political campaign. Records show the State Patrol seeking three years of Reardon records.
Reardon spent money on ‘secret mistress’ (Seattle Weekly)
3 years of county executive’s records sought (The Herald)
Nov. 18, 2011
Reardon leaves town after the election, reportedly to go rock climbing in Southern California, where he owns a second home. While still on vacation, he sends an email to The Herald denying misconduct but ignoring questions about his relationship with Dutton.
Aaron Reardon denies misconduct but otherwise stays silent (The Herald)
Dec. 3, 2011
Records for Reardon’s county-issued cellphone become public as part of the State Patrol investigation. They show Reardon making hundreds of calls to his campaign staff, in violation of campaign laws. Reardon insists there is no wrongdoing.
Aaron Reardon used county phone for campaign-related calls, records suggest (The Herald)
Dec. 6, 2011
Close examination of nearly 10,000 calls and text messages in 2011 show repeated contact between Reardon and Dutton. A Herald analysis also shows that 20 percent of Reardon’s calls in 2011 were to members of his political campaign.
Phone records link Reardon to woman who claims affair (The Herald)
Feb. 14, 2012
Dutton provides KING-TV an on-camera interview about her relationship with Reardon. She also provides The Seattle Times with records the newspaper says further support her claims of Reardon using public money to advance an affair that began in 2005.
Woman details six-year affair with Aaron Reardon (The Seattle Times)
Woman behind alleged affair with Snohomish Co. Executive speaks (KING-TV)
Feb. 15, 2012
A Herald analysis of campaign and office records shows Reardon spent 2011 making extensive use of taxpayer resources, including dialing for dollars on his government cellphone during periods when his schedule and emails show him arranging “in office” meetings with his campaign fundraising consultant.
Aaron Reardon used public resources to raise campaign cash, records show (The Herald)
Feb. 22, 2012
The County Council votes 4-0 to urge Reardon to voluntarily place himself on leave. Reardon posts a video, saying that he’s staying put.
Next move is Aaron Reardon’s to make as council asks him to take leave (The Herald)
Feb. 23, 2012
Reardon aide Kevin Hulten writes all the way to the governor’s office to complain about the patrol’s investigation of his boss.
Aide to Aaron Reardon critical of State Patrol probe (The Herald)
March 1, 2012
The state Public Disclosure Commission considers its own investigation of Reardon’s campaign activities once state troopers wrap up their criminal probe. That investigation is now under way.
March 13, 2012
Another woman tells The Seattle Times she had sex with Reardon during the work day.
2nd woman tells of liaison with Reardon during work hours (The Seattle Times)
May 4, 2012
Detectives send Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks their case report. Neither Reardon nor Hulten make themselves available for detectives’ interviews. Banks warns his review will take time because the file is more than 13,500 pages.
Reardon probe forwarded to prosecutor (The Herald)
No timetable set on Reardon probe (The Herald)
May 6, 2012
Records show Hulten frequently commingled his time and office resources with campaign-related activities that supported Reardon.
County staffer delivered dirt to Reardon campaign (The Herald)
June 13, 2012
Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks says there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against Reardon.
Reardon ‘exonerated,’ his lawyer says (The Herald)
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