Tim Eyman case sent to state attorney general's office for possible prosecution



TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Public Disclosure Commission has sent its campaign finance investigation of anti-tax initiative promoter Tim Eyman to the attorney general's office.

The News Tribune reports (http://is.gd/xgtfAX ) the Public Disclosure Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to refer the three-year-old inquiry to the attorney general for possible criminal charges or civil penalties.

The News Tribune reported that PDC investigators found that at least $182,000 in contributions raised for Initiative 1185 went to support another initiative.

Initiative 1185 aimed to make it harder to raise taxes in the Legislature by requiring support of two-thirds majorities.

Staff also found evidence that Eyman used approximately $170,000 of those funds for personal living expenses.

The motion passed Thursday called for Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office to expand the investigation beyond the 2012 transactions that PDC investigators examined closely.
The board referred the case at the request of its staff and after hearing from Sherry Bockwinkel, whose complaint started the investigation.Eyman's attorney, Mark Lamb, says he believes his client will prevail once he can fully defend himself.