Former Snohomish Co. Executive Aaron Reardon fined $4,200 for violating state campaign laws

OLYMPIA  (AP) — The state Public Disclosure Commission has fined former Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon $4,200 for violating state campaign laws during his 2011 re-election campaign.

The Daily Herald of Everett reports the commission voted unanimously to impose the maximum penalty after finding Reardon illegally used the resources of his public office.

Reardon, a once-promising figure in the state Democratic Party, resigned in 2013 after a string of scandals.  He now lives in California and has denied wrongdoing.  His attorney had tried to get the civil charges dismissed.

The PDC investigation found Reardon used the executive's office to conduct campaign meetings and made hundreds of calls and texts using his county-issued cellphone.  Reardon had told investigators those calls were to seek advice on county issues.

The investigation also determined that Reardon placed on his staff an aide who spent substantial time on the campaign.