Though 2015 is drawing to a close, the noose of justice is still tightening on former Democrat County Executive Aaron Reardon for apparent unethical activities during his 2011 re-election campaign.
According to a report in the Everett Herald, Reardon denied under oath that “ the hours he spent talking and texting with his most-trusted campaign consultants and political advisers while at work in 2011 had nothing to do with getting him re-elected.”
Reardon made that statement to a Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) investigator in October. The PDC has been investigating the uncooperative Reardon – and his already-convicted former top aide Kevin Hulten – for the last three years.
What makes Reardon’s statement troubling is it directly contradicts testimony given by his Democrat fundraiser Colby Underwood. From the Herald, “when the commission investigator told Reardon that his former fundraising consultant already said the phone conversations were all campaign-related, Reardon insisted otherwise.
“ ‘That would not be accurate,’ he said.”
However, Reardon’s story “didn’t convince commission staff, who early this month filed civil charges against the pair at the conclusion of a three-year probe.
“State investigators determined Reardon illegally used public resources to support his successful re-election effort, including placing Hulten on his staff and allowing him to engage in campaign activities at work.
“Both men now face thousands of dollars in fines. Hearings are tentatively scheduled for February.”
So, expect this corruption case to drag into year five, as the wheels of justice continue to turn.
