Democrat State Auditor Troy Kelley continues to dodge public questions on the subject of his involvement in an on-going federal investigation. He will not respond to media inquiry and, last week, he refused to appear before lawmakers to testify.
For the Seattle Times’ editorial board, Kelley’s secretive behavior has gone too far. The editorial board has called for Kelley’s resignation. The Times,
“Patience with the state’s fraud-watchdog-in-chief — and his vanishing act — is gone. He avoids accountability, yet his office demands accountability from other public agencies. To preserve the integrity of this vital position, he should resign.
“Kelley dug this hole for himself. After federal agents raided his home and subpoenaed his office in late March, Kelley had a choice. Prioritize his personal interests, which he has said require him to remain silent, or prioritize his elected office, which must be the ideal of transparency.
“Kelley chose to put himself in a “self-imposed witness protection program,” as state Sen. Mark Miloscia, R-Federal Way, said this week. The auditor refused to testify before Miloscia’s legislative committee Wednesday
Concluded the Times: “Kelley’s conduct since the subpoenas were served is the epitome of self-interest. He has lost the public’s trust. He should resign.”
As Shift pointed out, Kelley owes it to the public not to delay his resignation. He must resign in time to allow candidates to file for a special election (May 11th is the deadline). Corrupt Democrats—like former Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon—all too often deliberately wait until after the deadline, giving their fellow Democrat appointee more time in office, in hopes the public will forgot the sleaze that put them there in the first place.
Now that the Times, and other papers, have weighed in, we have to wonder if any Democrat elected official will actually put the state’s interests ahead of their party’s interests, and tell Kelley it’s time to go.
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