Tim Eyman could face possible lifetime ban in state lawsuit

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A Thurston County Superior Court judge has ruled that anti-tax initiative promoter Tim Eyman could potentially be punished with a lifetime ban on managing or directing the finances of a political committee.

The Seattle Times reports Judge James Dixon ruled Friday in the matter related to Attorney General Bob Ferguson's lawsuit against Eyman claiming Eyman used initiative drives to enrich himself.

Eyman had filed a motion to have the potential punishment thrown out, arguing that it would be an unconstitutional infringement on his First Amendment right to speech. He said the possibility of such a ban was having a chilling effect on his ability to fund ballot initiatives.

Dixon denied Eyman's request to have the potential punishment thrown out, emphasizing that he wouldn't decide on any punishment until the actual facts of the case were settled.