Inslee believes state can withhold pay of indicted State Auditor Troy Kelley

OLYMPIA (AP) — Based on legal advice received by the state attorney general's office, a spokesman for Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday they believe the state has the authority to withhold pay from indicted State Auditor Troy Kelley.


Kelly has resisted calls to resign but plans to take a leave of absence starting May 1.

Inslee spokesman David Postman said Thursday the analysis "is somewhat uncertain," but they still believe they can withhold pay because he is taking voluntary leave and will not perform the duties of his office.

A spokesman for the auditor's office said earlier that Kelley had also received legal guidance on the issue earlier Thursday and was reviewing it.

Kelley pleaded not guilty to 10 felony counts last week. The indictment charged him with filing false tax returns, attempting to obstruct a lawsuit and possessing more than $1 million in stolen property related to his former business