New data details mischief by former Reardon aide

EVERETT — More evidence has surfaced detailing the frequency and scope of politically motivated mischief within Aaron Reardon’s office while he was still Snohomish County executive.

The King County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday released more than 30 gigabytes of files and other data copied from computers assigned to Reardon and his key aides from 2011 to 2013.

The materials, harvested from nine Snohomish County-owned computers, were made available under state public records laws.

The information was gathered by King County detectives investigating whether any laws were broken in 2012 and early 2013 during what appeared to be a covert campaign of harassment and surveillance aimed at Reardon’s rivals.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Former Reardon aide Kevin Hulten has admitted to filing a series of records requests using the false name “Edmond Thomas.” He’s insisted the activity was part of a secret effort to root out corruption, and that he was a government “whistle blower.”

The data released this week shows Hulten began targeting Reardon’s rivals almost as soon as he started his job in January 2011 and continued unabated until he was placed on leave, and ultimately resigned, in May 2013.

The King County detectives subjected the Snohomish County computers to forensic analysis. They not only captured documents and files created by those using the devices, but compiled reports detailing the Web sites visited, the logons created and used and the cloud-based data storage services visited.

The King County detectives already have reported that their analysis found evidence that Hulten loaded a data-wiping program onto the laptop he was using from June 2012 to March 2013, the period when most of the “Edmond Thomas” activity was unfolding. They say Hulten scrubbed data before they had a chance to examine the device.

Similar problems didn’t surface on the other computers examined. Among other things, the materials released this week show:

  • A county laptop assigned to Hulten repeatedly was used during the summer of 2011 to develop Reardon’s campaign website.
  • The same device was used to create a Website that featured documents Hulten dug up at the Seattle Police Department, seeking to embarrass Reardon’s general election opponent, state Rep. Mike Hope, R-Mill Creek.
  • Documents were recovered showing Hulten worked closely with an Olympia attorney to spur the state Public Disclosure Commission to open investigations of Hope.
  • A desktop computer in Hulten’s county office was used to create gmail logons and send messages for “Edmond Thomas,” the pseudonym the Reardon aide adopted while seeking records and threatening the county with lawsuits.
  • Browser history on the desktop computer shows it was used in August 2012 to build a Wikipedia attack page that focused on Anne Block, a Gold Bar attorney who at the time was trying to mount a recall election for Reardon and also pursuing public records about Hulten.
  • The browser history also shows Hulten in August 2012 using his county desktop computer to set up a login for the services of HideMyAss.com. The site provides proxy servers that make it almost impossible to trace somebody’s messages or interactions on Web pages.

Skagit County Prosecutor Rich Weyrich continues to review evidence from King County detectives to determine whether any criminal charges are appropriate.

“We will put as much time into it so we make a good decision, whatever that requires,” Weyrich said Thursday.

The state elections watchdog has separate ongoing civil investigations into whether Reardon and Hulten broke state campaign laws.

Reardon resigned as county executive in May.

Scott North: 425-339-3431, north@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

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Contributed photo from Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works contractor crews have begun their summer 2016 paving work on 13 miles of roadway, primarily in the Monroe and Stanwood areas. This photo is an example of paving work from a previous summer. A new layer of asphalt is put down over the old.
Snohomish County plans to resurface about 76 miles of roads this summer

EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program,… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo cameras go live to curb speeding on Speedway

Starting Friday, an automated traffic camera system will cover four blocks of Mukilteo Speedway. A 30-day warning period is in place.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

Sound Transit approves contract to build Bothell bus facility

The 365,000-square-foot facility will be the heart of the agency’s new Stride bus rapid transit system, set to open in 2028.

Everett
One dead in Everett crash involving motorcycle and two vehicles

Police shut down the 10300 block of Evergreen Way in both directions during the multi-vehicle collision investigation.

Katie Wallace, left, checks people into the first flight from Paine Field to Honolulu on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Executive order makes way for Paine Field expansion planning

Expansion would be a long-range project estimated to cost around $300 million.

A person pauses to look at an art piece during the Schack Art Center’s 50th anniversary celebration on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett to seek Creative District designation

The city hopes to grow jobs in the creative sector and access new grant funds through the state label.

Former Herald writer Melissa Slager’s new book was 14-year project

The 520-page historical novel “Contests of Strength” covers the 1700 earthquake and tsunami on Makah lands.

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.