Indicted Washington state auditor returns to work

OLYMPIA — Indicted state Auditor Troy Kelley returned to work Tuesday morning, ending seven months of self-imposed exile while facing a trove of federal criminal charges.

Kelley hadn’t intended to come back until his legal fight was done but changed his mind when four state lawmakers said Monday they would try to impeach him for dereliction of duty.

“I said I would not be back until the conclusion of my legal issues. Now I am being impeached solely because I’m taking a leave of absence. That’s why I am back,” Kelley said in an interview.

Kelley, a 51-year-old Democrat, went on unpaid leave May 4 to defend himself against charges of money laundering, possession of stolen money, lying under oath and tax evasion arising from his operation of a real-estate services business from 2006 to 2008. He’s denied wrongdoing and is now scheduled to face trial in March.

Kelley, who was elected in 2012, intends to serve the final year of his term. Though he’s filed paperwork to be a candidate in 2016 he said, “Today I can’t imagine running for re-election. I won’t foreclose any options.”

On Tuesday, few imagined him walking through the doors of the state Auditor’s Office to resume his duties. Rather, for months, Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate, along with Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, have publicly called on him to resign and kept hoping he would.

“This is like a nightmare that keeps taking turns for the worse,” said Rep. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, one of those pursuing impeachment. “I don’t think any of the legislators who signed the impeachment resolution asked him to take leave. Many of us just asked him to leave.”

A spokeswoman for Inslee called Kelley’s return “troubling” while House Republican Leader Dan Kristiansen of Snohomish said he was “very disappointed.”

When Kelley took leave, it was an unprecedented action by a statewide elected official. He did so only after seeking advice from Attorney General Bob Ferguson on the legality.

At the time, he put department veteran Jan Jutte at the helm and vowed to resume his duties at the conclusion of the legal battle — presuming he wasn’t convicted.

Kelley’s mood changed Monday. That’s when Hunt and Reps. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn and Chris Reykdal, D-Tumwater, unveiled the resolution for impeachment they intend to introduce in January when the 2016 legislative session begins.

The state Constitution allows for impeaching a state elected official for “high crimes or misdemeanors” or “malfeasance in office.” Those pushing impeachment contend Kelley committed malfeasance by leaving his office empty and installing an unelected official in his stead.

“Can I defend myself? Yes, I believe so,” Kelley said. “I’ve read the constitution. It appears some legislators have not.”

Kelley’s return may fuel, rather than derail, the impeachment effort.

“It reinforces exactly why we did it,” Reykdal said. “He can show up on Tuesday but on the Monday before he didn’t want to be around the office. The only difference is politics. If he could be here why wasn’t he here the last 7 months?”

Kristiansen said he thinks the overwhelming majority of members in the Legislature support getting someone else in the job.

“Frankly, I hope the Legislature moves forward,” he said.

If the House passes a resolution of impeachment, Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said he wasn’t sure if the Senate can ignore it or if it must proceed.

Right now, he said, he’s “more focused on the caucus needs and agenda then Troy Kelley’s latest escapade.”

When Kelley arrived at work, he met with the executive team to share his reasons for returning, and expressed his intention to serve out his term, said Adam Wilson, communications manager for the auditor’s office.

Jutte then briefed Kelley on what’s transpired in the office in his absence.

“She’s done a great job,” Kelley said of Jutte, who will serve as deputy state auditor and be the agency’s point person in dealings with the legislative and executive branches in the upcoming session.

Kelley, whose annual salary increased to $120,459 during his absence, intends on keeping a low profile through the session, saying he doesn’t want to be part of any “political circus.”

“I will continue to perform the job the people of Washington have elected me to do and I will not back down in the face of political pressure and a false indictment,” he said in a formal statement.

<Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; 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

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.

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.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

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

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.

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.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

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.