The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is conducting a “second, more detailed” search of Democrat Troy Kelley’s personal computers. The second search comes after the investigators “found documents related to his personal businesses they consider ‘suspicious,’ ‘mysterious’ and ‘self-serving” as a result of the initial home search in March, according to the newly unsealed search warrants. Via the Seattle Times,
“The warrants indicate agents seized business documents and computers from his home during the first search. However, Special Agent Aaron Hopper wrote that some of the documents raised more questions than answers, and he sought a second warrant to expand a search of Kelley’s computers to determine when the papers were created.”
During the first search, federal agents found evidence that casts serious doubt on Kelley’s statements under oath. The Times,
“During sworn depositions in that case, Kelley said he was unable to produce many business documents because they had been destroyed in a fire.
“The existence of thousands of lines of detailed individual deeds of trust recording numbers and corresponding reconveyance recording data is inconsistent with Kelley’s prior statements under oath that his business records, with the exception of tax returns, business cards and ‘few other things’ had been destroyed in a fire,” according to the documents.
Additionally, federal agents appear concerned with the prospect of planted evidence meant to collaborate Kelley’s version of events. The Times,
“Hopper said two letters agents found, one dated 2008 and the other undated, seem to “neatly corroborate” statements Kelley made in April 2013 to IRS agents.
“There is reason, however, to question the timing of the creation of both” letters, particularly because Kelley never mentioned them during depositions when he was sued, when they could have been of benefit.
“The agent said he found a bill of sale in Kelley’s home for an SUV he sold in 2013 to be “self-serving in content and timing” and seems to conveniently back up a story Kelley had told agents when he was interviewed.”
KOMO News reports that Kelley’s tax attorney, Robert McCallum, has withdrawn from the case. Court documents gave no explanation for the withdrawal though Kelley’s spokesperson said he would re-enter the case later.
Kelley has pleaded not guilty to 10-counts of criminal activity, the most serious of which carries a 20-year prison sentence. Though he has lost the public’s trust, Kelley has refused to resign. He will take a “leave of absence” beginning May 1st during which he will not receive payment. His trial is scheduled to begin June 8th.
