Judge to consider validity of Reardon recall petition

EVERETT — Attorneys for Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon have asked the courts to dismiss a recall petition against their client, calling it “harassing” and without merit.

A Skagit County judge is scheduled to consider Thursday whether the recall effort meets state legal requirements to move forward to the signature-gathering phase. That hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. in Mount Vernon, where it was moved last month to avoid a conflict of interest for Snohomish County judges.

The recall paperwork filed June 15 with the Snohomish County Auditor accuses Reardon of breaking state campaign laws by using his executive assistant and other public resources for political fundraising and lobbying. Anne Block, a Gold Bar attorney who also maintains a political blog, filed the petition.

In a motion, Reardon’s attorneys argue that Block has asserted “nothing more than bald insinuations.” The motion says Block has failed to demonstrate why she believes the claims in her recall petition to be true. Reardon’s attorneys also said Block has filed “numerous frivolous recall petitions against other elected officials that were rejected by the Superior Court.”

“For all of these reasons, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon respectfully requests that this harassing petition be dismissed,” the motion states.

Lawyers John Wolfe and Tyson Harper of Seattle law firm DLA Piper LLP, also represented Reardon during a months-long Washington State Patrol criminal investigation that concluded without charges.

That matter also was moved outside Snohomish County to avoid a conflict of interest.

In June, Island County Prosecuting Attorney Greg Banks decided there was insufficient evidence to charge Reardon with official misconduct. Banks limited the inquiry to the specific question of whether Reardon, who is married, allegedly misused any taxpayer money to carry out an affair with a county employee. He’s known the woman since high school.

Banks made it clear that his decision not to pursue a criminal case was in no way intended to condone Reardon’s behavior. Banks also forwarded the patrol detectives’ final report to the state Public Disclosure Commission, which is responsible for investigating campaign-finance violations and has the authority to levy steep fines.

Block also filed a complaint with the PDC.

The PDC’s civil investigation is likely to continue through late this year, at least.

“(I)t’s going to be months from now before we’re done,” PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson said last week. “Most likely after the general election.”

Public records examined by The Herald show that in the months leading up to the 2011 election, Reardon used his government cellphone frequently to communicate with people involved in his re-election effort. They included key members of his campaign team and political donors.

Reardon’s schedules also contain more than 100 hours of “in office staff meetings,” many of which were coordinated to match the schedule of his political fundraiser, Colby Underwood. Reardon has said that Underwood, in addition to his campaign work, was discussing an alternative-energy venture at the county’s former Cathcart landfill.

If the judge allows the recall petition to go forward, Block will have 180 days to collect 47,444 signatures.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@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

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The pathway at Matt Hirvela Bicentennial Park is completed Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lynnwood light rail leads to new trees in Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace replaced trees removed during construction of the Lynnwood light rail… Continue reading

Riverfront Everett in Everett, Washington on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council extends deadline for riverfront grocery store

A city agreement requires the land owners to bring a grocer there. Developers say more housing units need to be built to attract one to the site.

A firefighter with Sky Valley Fire sprays water on a hotspot Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, along U.S. 2 as the Bolt Creek fire continues to burn between Index and Skykomish. (Peter Mongillo / Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)
Snohomish County releases draft of wildfire protection plan

Community members can submit feedback and questions online through July.

Snow dusts the treeline near Heather Lake Trailhead in the area of a disputed logging project on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, outside Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Utah Senator pulls public lands provision from tax bill

The original proposal would have put federal land in Snohomish County up for sale.

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.