Troopers no longer protecting Rossi

OLYMPIA — Fewer than two weeks after expressing concern for former state Sen. Dino Rossi's safety, the State Patrol this week ended the round-the-clock security it had been providing to Rossi and his family.

"We are not protecting Mr. Rossi any more," Capt. Fred Fakkema, spokesman for the State Patrol, said yesterday.

Fakkema said the decision to stop protecting Rossi was made last week. But for security reasons, he said, the State Patrol did not announce the decision.

The patrol's Executive Protection Unit had been guarding Rossi since November, when he was declared governor-elect after winning the initial ballot count in the contentious race for governor.

Troopers continued guarding Rossi even after a subsequent ballot count gave a 129-vote victory to Democrat Christine Gregoire, who was sworn in as governor last month.

Once Gregoire was declared the winner, the State Patrol had no legal obligation to protect Rossi. But with emotions still running high over Gregoire's victory — and with an election challenge filed by Rossi still pending in court — the State Patrol said earlier this month that continued security for Rossi was warranted.

Both Gregoire and Rossi have received threats since the Nov. 2 election. A Yakima County man was arrested last month on suspicion of making a death threat against Gregoire and her family.

Rossi, however, was informed last Friday that his trooper protection would end at midnight Sunday. The State Patrol told Rossi it would reassess its decision if he receives more threats, said Rossi spokeswoman Mary Lane.

Fakkema said the decision to stop guarding Rossi was made by outgoing State Patrol Chief Lowell Porter. He said Porter's replacement, John Batiste, also was consulted.

Batiste was appointed by Gregoire last week and started Monday.

Gregoire spokeswoman Kim Contris said the governor was informed of the Patrol's decision but had no role in making it.

"She has totally left it up to the State Patrol," Contris said.

Two weeks ago, the state Democratic Party put out a news release blasting Rossi for accepting trooper protection at a time when the state is facing a huge budget shortfall. "How much should taxpayers have to pay for a loser?" the release said.

Fakkema said the cost of protecting Rossi since Dec. 30, the day Gregoire was declared governor-elect, was about $30,000 to $35,000.

Ralph Thomas: 360-943-9882 or rthomas@seattletimes.com