Court Rules Washington State Auditor Recall Can't Proceed

NWNews | By Austin Jenkins

Published May 8, 2015 at 4:19 PM MDT

In 2012, then-candidate for state auditor Troy Kelley met with reporters to address allegations against him in court documents posted online by his Republican opponent.

A Superior Court judge in Pierce County has ruled that a recall effort against indicted state auditor Troy Kelley cannot go forward.

Judge Frank E. Cuthbertson ruled Friday afternoon that three allegations against Kelley, a first-term Democrat, were “legally and factually” insufficient.

Kelley has pleaded not guilty to a 10-count federal grand jury indictment related to his past business practices. He's on a leave of absence to fight the charges.

The judge’s ruling on the recall can be appealed directly to the Washington Supreme Court.

Northwest News Network

Austin Jenkins

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

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