Former county planning director pleads not guilty to assault charge

SEATTLE — Snohomish County’s planning director pleaded not guilty Monday to two misdemeanor charges stemming from a drunken incident June 24 on a Redmond-area golf course.

The most serious charge, fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation, alleges Craig Ladiser pressed his penis against the leg of a woman who works as a lobbyist for the building industry. Ladiser also is charged with indecent exposure.

The acts allegedly occurred while Ladiser, 59, was a guest at a golf tournament sponsored by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

Ladiser appeared for a brief arraignment Monday in King County Superior Court with his attorney, Ralph Hurvitz of Seattle. Ladiser was ordered to have no contact with the woman who made the allegations. He later was taken from the courtroom to the jail for booking. He was told he would be released afterward.

Ladiser declined comment as he waited in the courtroom before the hearing.

The incident occurred while Ladiser was the county’s top planning official. He was fired from his $150,000 a year job last summer, and has since moved to Eastern Washington.

The criminal investigation began in October, after the woman contacted the King County Sheriff’s Office. She told authorities, according to court papers, that she “felt she was pressured into not reporting this to the police right away” and was told the matter would be “investigated internally.”

The woman first contacted County Executive Aaron Reardon’s office about the allegations in July. She had already corresponded with Ladiser, who told her he would resign from his job. Instead, he took emergency leave and sought counseling for alcohol abuse.

The county hired a labor attorney from Seattle to investigate.

“The initial allegations were criminal in nature,” said Christopher Schwarzen, Reardon’s spokesman, in an e-mail Monday. “That’s why we ordered the outside investigation. Based on the investigation’s outcome, the office took swift and appropriate action and terminated Mr. Ladiser immediately.”

Ladiser was on paid leave for about a month while the labor attorney investigated, records show. Ladiser was fired Aug. 20 after the attorney’s report found he deliberately exposed himself to the woman, but “could not conclude” whether there was physical contact.

Ladiser’s official last day on the county payroll was Sept. 3. Human resources e-mails obtained through public-records laws list the reason he’s been separated from his county job as “retired.”

That word, in this case, only refers to Ladiser’s eligibility for benefits, not the circumstances of his departure, Schwarzen said.

“He was fired,” he said. “Whether a person quits on their own or is terminated, they are entitled to retirement.”

Ladiser’s troubles arose at a time when the planning department was suffering from huge drops in revenue and widespread layoffs. The county continues to interview candidates to fill Ladiser’s old job.

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

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

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.