OLYMPIA — An investigation by the state Public Disclosure Commission has found evidence that Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon failed to properly disclose who paid for some of his travel in 20
09.
The commission is scheduled Thursday to decide whether any penalties are warranted against the Democrat, who is running for re-election this year. Commissioners could impose a fine of up to $4,200.
Reardon told the commission he made no attempts to conceal the trips and supplied news accounts as evidence. The Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce paid for one trip to the United Arab Emirates in March 2009. Washington, D.C., consulting firm CG/LA Infrastructure paid for another to the nation’s capital in September 2009.
State disclosure rules require Snohomish County’s elected leaders to document trips paid by a source other than the county. Reardon later filed a corrected financial disclosure form.
The commission also is investigating a complaint against Reardon’s opponent, state Rep. Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens. That complaint alleges that Hope, a Seattle police officer, improperly used a police uniform in campaign materials. He’s denied any wrongdoing, and argued a similar past complaint has been ruled unfounded.
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