Tim Eyman allegedly stole a $70 chair from an Office Depot

Surveillance video shows him rolling the chair out the door. He says he can explain.

Professional ballot-initiative sponsor Tim Eyman, who has been battling the state of Washington over alleged campaign-finance violations and recently filed for bankruptcy, is under investigation for a theft from an office supply store in the city of Lacey, near the state capital.

He allegedly left an Office Depot store on Wednesday with a $70 chair without paying. Surveillance video released by the Lacey Police Department clearly shows Eyman, dressed in a red shirt bearing the words “Let The Voters Decide,” rolling the chair out the front door from the vestibule, where it was on display.

In an emailed statement Friday, Eyman seemed to imply that the alleged theft was a misunderstanding.

“I just called the Lacey Office Depot who referred me to the Lacey Police Department,” Eyman wrote. “I am expecting a call from the officer in charge to explain what happened. I will cooperate fully in this process and will do whatever is required of me.”

Lacey police, who said they had been unable to reach Eyman, confirmed that he called and said investigators intend to interview him.

A police report released Friday says a misdemeanor theft case has been referred to prosecutors.

Eyman, who has promoted tax-cutting ballot initiatives for many years, is now promoting a measure on the November ballot, Initiative 976, which would reduce vehicle license renewal fees to $30, among other changes.

In the police report, the investigating officer wrote that Eyman came to the Office Depot to exchange a printer, purchased at a different store, for two other printers. A clerk who helped Eyman told police that he was busy for a time helping another customer when Eyman left the store with the chair.

In this photo taken Feb. 13, anti-tax initiative promoter Tim Eyman (center) waits before speaking during a public hearing of the Senate State Government, Tribal Relations, and Elections Committee at the Capitol in Olympia. Eyman is under investigation for the theft of a $70 office chair from an Office Depot store in Lacey later in the day while wearing the same shirt he wore for his testimony before the committee. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

In this photo taken Feb. 13, anti-tax initiative promoter Tim Eyman (center) waits before speaking during a public hearing of the Senate State Government, Tribal Relations, and Elections Committee at the Capitol in Olympia. Eyman is under investigation for the theft of a $70 office chair from an Office Depot store in Lacey later in the day while wearing the same shirt he wore for his testimony before the committee. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Eyman allegedly returned to the store to pay for the two printers and a print job, and the clerk used a dolly to take the printers to Eyman’s car.

“When we got to his vehicle … he insisted I leave the printers on the ground next to his vehicle because he needed to rearrange a few things,” the clerk said in a written statement to police. “I gave him my Office Depot business card and went back inside.”

Eyman was a longtime Mukilteo resident, but a shipping label for the first printer, included with the police report, shows a Bellevue address. When he revealed in November that he was filing for bankruptcy, Eyman said he and his wife were getting a divorce.

His legal troubles began with a lawsuit filed in 2017. The state attorney general claims Eyman secretly moved campaign money between two initiatives in 2012 and that he received hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks from a signature-gathering vendor. A trial date has been set for January 2020.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield contributed to this story.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

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.