State attorney general sues Wapato city administrator

Published 1:30 am Monday, June 10, 2019

Associated Press

YAKIMA — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a lawsuit against the Wapato city administrator, claiming he used his former job as mayor to unlawfully enrich himself.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reported that the lawsuit filed Friday accuses Juan Orozco of violating ethics and open meetings laws. The lawsuit also names the city council and Mayor Dora Alvarez-Roa.

The lawsuit asks a court to order Orozco out of the job, to invalidate his contact as city administrator and for him to pay back his salary from the city.

The attorney general’s office says Orozco was immediately appointed city administrator after he resigned as mayor last September. His seven-year contract sets his salary at $95,000.

Yakima County authorities say they are also conducting a criminal probe.