State employee with ties to investigation of state auditor fired

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A state worker who was at the midst of a federal investigation into Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley is no longer employed by the agency.

Agency spokesman Thomas Shapley said that Jason JeRue, a part-time employee who worked out of his home in California, was laid off Monday afternoon Kelley began a leave of absence and Jan Jutte took over operations.

Shapley said he could give specifics on JeRue's dismissal but noted that he had already been on leave for weeks.

Kelley, who was indicted by a federal grand jury on tax evasion and other charges last month, has resisted numerous calls to resign but started his unpaid leave of absence on Monday afternoon. He has delegated authority to Jutte on responsibilities like audit authority, contracting and personnel issues.

Kelley has pleaded not guilty to the charges.