Ethics charges filed against Seattle mayor

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is facing ethics charges over an eight-page flier his office sent out earlier this year outlining his accomplishments as mayor.

Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, filed civil charges against Nickels today for violating the city's prohibition on the use of public facilities for campaigning.

The mayor's office produced the document, entitled "Mayor Greg Nickels: Three Years of Accomplishments" and sent it to about 3,000 households at a cost to the city of $2,205, according to charging papers filed by Barnett.

Nickels' spokeswoman Marianne Bichsel denied the charges, saying the mayor's office has a duty to inform citizens and has produced a similar document every year since he took office in 2002.

Bichsel said the document was produced in February to coincide with the mayor's "State of the City" speech, which he is required to deliver annually by the city charter.

"We cannot understand how the staff of the Ethics and Elections office can interpet that as campaigning," Bichsel said.

Nickels' campaign could face a fine of up to $5,000 if Barnett's charges are upheld by the seven-member ethics commmission. Nickels is seeking reelection to a second four-year term this year. He faces former professor Al Runte in the November election.

The commission is scheduled to consider the charges at a meeting Oct. 10.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com