TACOMA — A tax lawyer retained by indicted Washington state Auditor Troy Kelley has withdrawn from the case.
Robert McCallum filed a notice in federal court Wednesday saying he’s no longer representing Kelley in defense of 10 felony counts charging that he stole money from one-time business clients, ducked taxes and obstructed a civil lawsuit. Kelley has pleaded not guilty.
McCallum, a former federal prosecutor with the Justice Department’s criminal tax section, appeared alongside Kelley at his April 16 arraignment and answered questions on his behalf at an ensuing news conference.
McCallum did not return a call seeking comment, and court documents gave no explanation for the withdrawal. Kelley spokesman Mark Firmani said in an email that McCallum could re-enter the case later.
Kelley is still represented by criminal defense attorney Mark Bartlett.
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