Investigation puts allegations against DelBene to rest

You can close the book on an allegation which captivated attention in the waning days of the 2012 congressional contest between Republican John Koster and Democrat Suzan DelBene.

Spoiler alert: It wasn’t true.

If you recall, in the heat of their duel, Koster insinuated DelBene — now the congresswoman — had given special treatment to a prominent supporter of Democratic candidates and causes while she served as director of the state Department of Revenue in 2011.

Koster linked her to allegations made in a whistleblower complaint filed by a veteran employee. That worker alleged the unnamed Democratic supporter avoided paying a $2 million use tax on a personal airplane because of political favoritism.

Koster repeatedly said because it happened on DelBene’s watch, she needed to respond to the charge.

“She says millionaires ought to pay their fair share but apparently millionaires got a break,” he said in a television interview.

As Koster pushed the matter on the campaign trail throughout October, he seemed increasingly frustrated by its failure to gain much traction.

“While our liberal media friends are ignoring this major scandal, we are going to continue asking questions until we get some answers,” he wrote on his campaign’s Facebook page Oct. 23.

This week, an investigation found “no reasonable cause to believe an improper governmental action occurred.”

Former state auditor Brian Sonntag launched the probe soon after receiving the whistleblower complaint alleging the tax should have been levied but higher-ups in the department delayed doing so until it became too late for them to legally collect it.

Sonntag’s successor, Troy Kelley, a Democrat, oversaw the completion of the investigation and issued the findings Monday.

“In review of the case notes and the subjects’ e-mail, phone records and statements from witnesses and subjects, we found the Department never made the determination that use tax was owed by the taxpayer in this case,” investigators wrote.

“Our investigation found no hold was placed on the case that prevented an assessment from being issued,” they concluded. “Additionally, we found no evidence that any employee of the Department intentionally delayed the case in order to allow the statutory time bar to expire.”

No one is identified by name in the seven-page report. Instead, agency employees involved are referred to by title. Nowhere is the director mentioned.

Koster, a Snohomish County councilman, was on bereavement leave and unavailable for comment, according to his staff.

DelBene, who described Koster’s claim as “a baseless accusation from a desperate campaign,” declined to comment on the auditor’s findings.

While she said all along she had no involvement in the decision, Delbene may need to address this matter again when she seeks re-election next year.

Some books are worth re-reading.

Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett will welcome new CEO in June

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Everett police searching for missing child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive. The child was missing under “suspicious circumstances.”

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.