Originally published Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
McKenna sues state GOP over using "soft money" to promote Rossi
Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Republican, Friday filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against the Washington State Republican Party for illegally spending $212,967 to advocate for Dino Rossi, the GOP candidate for governor.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Republican, filed a lawsuit Friday against the Washington State Republican Party for illegally spending $212,967 to advocate for Dino Rossi, the GOP candidate for governor.
Following up on the Public Disclosure Commission's findings, McKenna's lawsuit in King County Superior Court says the state party used unlimited "soft money" contributions for three mailings that criticized Gov. Christine Gregoire and urged people to "Vote for Dino Rossi."
Soft money can only be used for administrative and party-building activities. Only "hard money" contributions, which are limited by state law, can be used to expressly promote candidates.
The Republican Governors Association (RGA) is the biggest contributor ($420,000) to the state party's soft-money account. Bob Perry, a Texas homebuilder who was the largest financier of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth that attacked John Kerry in the 2004 presidential campaign, is the biggest contributor ($400,000) to the RGA, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
John Ladenburg, McKenna's Democratic opponent in this year's race for attorney general, has argued McKenna has a conflict of interest and should hand over the case against the state party to an independent counsel.
McKenna has declined, saying his office has good lawyers who will prosecute the case objectively. He notes that his Democratic predecessor, Gregoire, won lawsuits and hefty settlements against the Democratic Party ($250,000) and the state teachers union ($430,000), which had supported her campaign for attorney general.
McKenna made the decision to sue but will not be involved further in the case, said his spokeswoman Janelle Guthrie. Instead, McKenna's chief deputy, Brian Moran, will be responsible for the case.
"In an abundance of caution" McKenna has "screened" himself from the case because of his long relationship with Luke Esser, head of the state Republican Party, Guthrie said. Esser has worked for McKenna, and the two have known each other since college, she said.
Moran will not seek an injunction to stop the GOP from repeating its violations, Guthrie added. The party said in a letter to the attorney general it would refrain from improperly using soft money again in this election.
"Absent an imminent threat that the behavior will continue, we don't have enough evidence to file for an injunction," Guthrie said. "But should we have evidence, we stand ready to file for an injunction."
The state GOP had argued the mailings were communications to party members and therefore allowed. Party lawyer John J. White Jr. said he would challenge the state's action in U.S. District Court.
Bob Young: 206-464-2174 or byoung@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
![]()
Lake Union fireworks fun based on a blast from the past
Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
Fire danger already here in parched NW forests
Walk the deck of a restored schooner
Lake Washington's sockeye run may hit a record low

Tribal Fireworks Rivalry
The Fourth of July marks a long-standing fireworks rivalry between two clans of a Native-American family in Suquamish.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling'
- Yakima teacher reprimanded for sending 5-year-old student home with bag of feces in backpack
- 6 jurors swear a cop's wife swayed panel in Kent civil rights case
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Fire sends service providers scrambling
- Going to Gas Works Park? Good luck
- Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
- More than 1 million seek tix for Jackson memorial
- Rob Johnson's double in 11th powers Mariners past Red Sox, 7-6
- Bicyclist killed Wednesday night is identified
- Palin resigning as Alaska governor
722 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/04 game thread
344 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/04 game thread
244 - Reports: NKorean missile arrives at launch site
88 - 6 jurors swear a cop's wife swayed panel in Kent civil rights case
87 - Woman accuses Sounders FC player Nate Jaqua of sexual assault, seeks more than $10 million
87 - Palin's Declaration of Independence
68 - Mariners score unlikely win over Red Sox in battle of bullpens
56 - Rob Johnson ties a club record as Mariners win 7-6 in 11 innings
54 - Man pistol-whipped after argument at nightclub
37
- Going to Gas Works Park? Good luck
- Liven up Fremont's attempt to break a world record for a 'zombie walk'
- Plasma and LED beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Lynnwood's City Bank gets tighter scrutiny
- Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
- Yakima teacher reprimanded for sending 5-year-old student home with bag of feces in backpack
- Retail Report | Pet-supply shops grow while other retailers fade
- Palin keeps low-profile after surprise news
- Fire sends service providers scrambling
- Oregon woman obsessed with rabbits back in jail

