Washington lawmaker accused of misuse of state funds plans to resign, officials say



OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A Republican state representative from Pullman will resign this week following allegations of falsified travel expense forms, officials said Wednesday.

Rep. Susan Fagan is set to resign Friday, according to a written statement issued by House Clerk Barbara Baker.

Baker says that she was presented with evidence last year that there were discrepancies in Fagan's travel reimbursement forms.

In meetings between House leadership and Fagan, the Pullman Republican denied wrongdoing but said she would pay back overpayments, Baker wrote.

An investigation by the state's Legislative Ethics Board was launched in January.

Republican leadership met with Fagan on Friday to ask her to resign.

In addition to resigning, Fagan has agreed to pay any remaining funds due back to the state, Baker wrote.

House Republican leader Dan Kristianson said, “I am very disappointed with Representative Fagan’s conduct. Her misuse of state travel and reimbursement funds is a serious breach of public trust.

“We believed the allegations were serious when this matter initially came to our attention and requested a thorough review and investigation by the Legislative Ethics Board," Kristianson said.

House Speaker Frank Chopp said, "I’m disappointed by the actions of Rep. Fagan. It’s become clear that discrepancies in her reimbursement forms are more than just clerical errors.

"Both Republican Leader Kristiansen and I agree that Rep. Fagan should resign, and I am glad she has decided to do so. The Legislative Ethics Board will continue its investigation, and at some point will decide what other actions are appropriate in this case," Chopp said.