King County Councilwoman Jane Hague has been hit with a new problem that, like her recently revealed drunken-driving charge, could be damaging politically as well as financially.
The staff of the state Public Disclosure Commission, in an administrative complaint Friday, accused her of multiple violations of campaign-finance laws.
It said the Bellevue Republican was late, sometimes by more than 13 months, in filing numerous reports of campaign contributions, expenditures and bank deposits; failed to disclose occupations and other required information about contributors; and accepted contributions in excess of the allowable limit of $700 from eight donors.
The complaint said Hague also violated laws governing surplus funds accounts, which are strictly regulated accounts for leftover campaign funds. It said she illegally filed several expenditure and fund-transfer reports late, some by as much as 15 months, and reimbursed herself for expenses — including campaign contributions to other politicians — for which surplus funds can’t be used.
The charges arose from and largely affirmed a voluminous complaint filed against the veteran politician by her election opponent, Richard Pope, a lawyer and perennial candidate who is running as a Democrat but without Democratic Party support.
He has brought successful public-disclosure complaints against previous election opponents but has never won an election.
And when our friend Richard Pope loses this election, I suggest the PDC hire him as an independent investigator to look for all the disclosure scofflaws the PDC doesn’t currently look for. He could probably make a good living just off commissions from the fines. That is, if he loses this election. At some point voters may just grow so fed up with this shit, they’ll throw Hague out of office regardless of her opponent.
And when she was arrested on the drunken-driving charge in Bellevue on June 2 — in an incident that wasn’t publicly known until Aug. 21, — an obscenity-spewing Hague reportedly blamed the arrest on her husband, Ed Springman. He was a passenger in her Mercedes convertible.
A state trooper said in a written report that Hague, 61, “became irate and (used) expletives” and “said it was her husband’s fault that she was in the back of a patrol car and being treated like a criminal, and her husband would have to find the best attorney” for her.
When the officer suggested she could speak to a public defender if her husband — a wealthy Eastside developer — couldn’t find her one, Hague reportedly “stated she would not talk to any second-rate attorney.”
A separate report written by a county sheriff’s deputy who arrested her said she declared in a slurred voice that he was wasting his time. He said she exclaimed, “This is fucking ridiculous, don’t you have rapists to take off the street?”
After she failed several roadside sobriety tests and the deputy transferred custody of the handcuffed councilwoman to the state trooper, the deputy’s report said she complained, “This is fucking ridiculous, I don’t need handcuffs.”
Too bad no quality Dem had the balls to file for this race. It would be a gimme.
On a curious side note, my good friend Stefan (fondly known by his pals at the local diner as “Mr. Pink“) has apparently been too busy defending his honor to read the papers, for I haven’t seen (u)SP mention Hague’s DUI even once. Odd for a blog that describes itself as a “sound commentary on current events in Seattle, Puget Sound and Washington State,” especially considering his hard stance on drunk driving, repeatedly mentioning state Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge’s DUI, calling her a “drunken embarrassment,” and tenuously using the incident to attack Chief Justice Gerry Alexander.
Hmm.
With the choice being Hauge or Not Hauge I’m sure plenty of voters will choose Not Hauge.
I’m hoping Pope pulls it off. The King County Dem’s deserve the egg on their face and I doubt Richard would be any worse than Hauge.
David, while you fulfilled your commitment to discuss the editorial in The Seattle Times published two Sundays ago on the permanence of tax levies, you haven’t provided your post-primary endorsements and predictions as promised. Why don’t you take care of that commitment this afternoon? Then you can go pound them big-time tonight at The Montlake Alehouse as your reward.
What’s that I smell. . .the stank of a beached Shark? A Real Stankansky!
#3 TFF
More beach closures, then.
That’s REALLY pollution.
I just love all these remarks about Jane being a “drunken embarrasment.” They are ridiculous and totally unwarrented… if you’ve ever been breathalized you’d see that a 0.08 BAC is hardly drunk and surprisingly easy to blow…
I think the person with the real ethics problem in this story is Deputy Cougan who is obviously bullshitting his way to fame because in every story i’ve read, Jane’s supposed remarks keep getting lengthier and filthier with more F words thrown in. I mean I understand not agreeing with a poltical stance but to take it this far to try and bring down someone’s reputation…it’s low, even for a democrat.
5
Please tell me this is satire.
We have trolls here how could actually believe this, post is and be proud of it.
TROLLS??? On HA????
Surely you geste, Beau. The fine Republicans who come here to grace us with their presence merely want to present the truth, and never, themselves, resort to coarse language.
Fine, Christian souls like Puddybud, MTR, Ratherdanly, and….THE BACKSLASH. (\”?)
This is off topic and proabably needs to be deleted, but it was fun.
@5,
I must object to your implication that Jane blew a .08 in her blood alcohol test. Jane blew a .141. That’s a much more difficult.
I also have to object to your characterization of our brave men and women in law enforcement as lying glory hounds. Typical of most Republicans, you just don’t appreciate what they do for our community each and every day. It’s as if you instinctively hate law and order and always side with the lawbreakers who make our highways so unsafe.
There haven’t been any Papal utterances or encycicals (maybe some bulls) recently.
Whence cometh Richard’s silence? Cat got his keyboard? In shock over his increasing chances (Hell, I’d vote for him, if I weren’t a denizen of dreaded Spanaway).
5/6/7/8 Whoever this is should be forced to remove his “Support Your Local Police” bumper sticker.
9 Richard may be out getting the campaign signs made that he didn’t think he’d need.
@1 “I doubt Richard would be any worse than Hauge.”
Actually, we don’t know how Richard would be, because he’s never had the chance to serve in a public office. He might turn out to be a pleasant surprise — a better officeholder than campaigner. There’s certainly some support for that idea in our experience with him on HA … he researches stuff, generally knows what he’s talking about, usually gets the facts straight, and makes erudite and intelligent arguments. The County Council could benefit from all that. And if he turned out to be a turkey … well … he’s only 1 of 9 votes on the council and the other 8 votes could keep him from doing any real harm. Besides, the poor guy needs a job, employer-provided health care, and a pension.
@5 “a 0.08 BAC is hardly drunk and surprisingly easy to blow… ”
It’s even easier to blow a 0.00. Want to know how?
@5 (continued) A wingnut’s idea of “freedom” includes the “right” to drive under the influence (and imperil the lives of others) — what a jerk! And these yahoos want us to vote for their candidates?!
@6 Why do you think it’s satire? That’s how Republicans actually think.
25 I thought all cops are Republicans? Has that changed? What’s next, soldiers voting Democrat?
@16 typo — should read @5 not 25
Steffany’s employer discussed confidential employer-personnel material with a blogger (S.P.), and blogger repeats it all over the internet. Aren’t both the blogger and employer subject to a defamation suit?
Is Hague’s district overwhelmingly republican, and is that why the democrats didn’t run a candidate? Or, was it just a dumb mistake?
@18 Tortious interference probably would get more traction.
@19 It was a strategy. If no one filed the party poobahs could pick a candidate in a smoke-filled room without consulting the grass roots or primary voters.
Richard flew under their radar with an e-Bay strategy: He didn’t file until 5 minutes before the deadline — when it was too late for them to do anything about his bid.
BunnyBoy @ 13: “It’s even easier to blow a 0.00. Want to know how?”
Please keep your bestial bedroom techniques to yourself.
To keep things in perspective, the fine for drunk drinking is less than 1% of the fine for telling the press you intended from Day 1 to move your NBA team.
Roger Rabbit Poll
Which offense poses the greatest risk to public safety:
[ ] 1. Drunk driving
[ ] 2. Telling the truth about your plans for your NBA team.
BunnyBoy @ 21: “It was a strategy. If no one filed the party poobahs could pick a candidate in a smoke-filled room without consulting the grass roots or primary voters.”
So much for the Dems being a “party of the people,” huh? Imagine the amount of bunny pellets you’d plop if the GOP did the same thing.
@25 Mind your own business. This is an internal party matter. Sticking your nose in it is like fucking another man’s wife.
@25 “Imagine the amount of bunny pellets you’d plop if the GOP did the same thing.”
What you mean “if” kemo sabe?
@12
I stand corrected and reminded to not type pre-coffee. My thoughts were headed towards what you posted, but the fingers didn’t follow.
I’m positive that SS will correct this oversight before the day is out! Because he is a man of character!
Heh.
BunnyBoy @ 25: “Mind your own business. This is an internal party matter.”
Again, I thought the Dems were the “Party of the People” — openness and sunshine and all that. And since I’m not registered to any particular party — not being head-over-heels for either of the current versions — I have every right to bring it up.
[cough, cough] Tammany [cough, cough]
Honestly, though, Hague is an embarrassment. Maybe Goldy should set up an ActBlue Page for Richard or do some fundraising for him, especially if he makes it through the primary.
BunnyBoy @ 27: “What you mean ‘if’ kemo sabe?”
Just wondering… Do you even know what your B&W boob tube slang means? Or did you fail the mandatory multiculti test on your Dem Party application?
Rog @26
Not true….
HE CAN’T fuck another man’s wife.
He has no dick.
Where is Goldy’s post on Everett councilmember Mark Olson, Sound Transit Vice Chair, huge democrat, being investigated for rape? His 2001 DUI got no mention even though he almost hit a cop. I guess you can drive drunk and almost run over cops AND sexually assault people…as long as you’re a democrat.
@5 “I think the person with the real ethics problem in this story is Deputy Cougan”
Spoken like a true member of the ‘Party of Responsibility.’
@33
Did you look through the archives for 2001?
Oh, hold on, there are no archives for 2001 – BECAUSE THIS BLOG DIDN’T EXIST THEN.
Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave…When First We Practice to Deceive — Sir Walter Scott
Looks like Ms. Jane Hague ought to take a knitting class before she gets into any more tangles! If her court date comes up just before the election, that may really sink her leaking boat.
Go Richard Pope! I so hope the voters give him a chance to show his skills on the job!
Goldy, I agree with #31, in thinking you should try to set up an [ActBlue] account for Richard (if he agrees), like you did for Darcy. Makes it easier to make a contribution, than his existing paper envelope & postage stamp process. They asked for a tip (not reqd) so it probably wouldn’t cost much for the service. Plus [ActBlue] before accepting, still required info about the donating party to keep Pope up to necessary standards.
(To be honest, it bounced my first try @ Darcy’s, because I put in “Retired” in the occupation field leaving the employer name blank. Not satisfied until I typed in the retirement board name in the empty field.)
After reading this morning’s PI article regarding Ms. Hague’s latest round of violations by the Public Disclosure Commission, I now understand WHY [ActBlue] wasn’t taking a cent without all the details.
Lee,
You moron. Councilmember Mark Olson is CURRENTLY under investigation for RAPE. His defense (that he was drunk) is a violation of his 2001 sentence terms. Read the Everett Herald if you don’t believe anything but spoon-fed party line baby food.
I question why Goldy has spent tons of time and space on Hague’s DUI charge and none on Olson’s rape charge. Lest you claim it isn’t relevant to Seattle or King County please note he is the current Vice Chair of Sound Transit.
So please, tell me why principled progressives shouldn’t care more about a male public official accused of rape than dui charge against a female politician?
Nice try dipshit.
Stan @38,
Well… um… 1) I’d never heard about it until you mentioned it here in the comment threads; 2) I’m not objective. Never claimed to be. I’m partisan, liberal blogger, and have always worn my bias on my sleeve.
Stefan, on the other hand, claims to be a “small ‘L’ libertarian,” and to objectively and fairly cover current events. Of course, that’s the load of bullshit I’m pointing out.
(Oh… and I’m not sure about your definition of “tons of time and space”. If anything, I’ve slacked off when it comes to Hague’s DUI.
Okay, so I understand that Mr. Pope’s e-bay strategy succeeded (5-min before deadline filing), but isn’t there some sort of fine print technicalities about a non-Democratic running as a Democrat? Actually, his ploy seems so first-graderish, but I think the Dems approach is just as frustrating (if in fact, this was a preconceived plan and not a mistake).
Goldy,
I think amoral would be more apt here than objective.
Do you really feel being a partisan means you don’t notice, or intentionally ignore, rape charges? If so you would appear to be a more grostesque mirror image of the cretins now leaping to defend Sen. Craig.
I guess on balance I think one can be a principled conservative or progressive and still be able to cast out/call out one of your own when they rape someone. Call me naive…
@41
Maybe if any of us actually knew who this person was, we’d have an opinion. We live in King County (where Jean Hague serves on the Council). We DO NOT live in Everett.
Second, by not knowing who the fuck Mark Olson is, that does not mean that we condone his actions. What kind of train wreck logic is that?
Shotsix-
I know for a fact he is now a democrat. When you and others cease your first graderish bashing and wake up to the reality that he is now the dem candidate, maybe we can all be proud to elect someone of his stature.
Lee,
Have you ever heard of Sound Transit — they have blue buses with a big wave on the side. They actually are all over King County and even Seattle. This group also runs light rail, (again blue and white with a big wave on the side, you can’t miss ’em). Mark Olson is the Vice-Chair of Sound Transit. Suffice it to say, if you haven’t heard of him you have now.
As for the rape charge, no one is saying you condone his actions. I am saying now that you do know, all the venom and intensity you directed at Jane Hague appears to have left you.
The question still stands, “tell me why principled progressives shouldn’t care MORE about a male public official accused of rape than dui charge against a female politician?”
Lee,
BTW it’s “Jane” Hague not “Jean” you jackass.
@44
I think Goldy explained it quite well – because his objective is to make Republicans look bad. You can cry all you want about that, but that’s his right.
You’re still a jackass for coming in here and yelling at us because we weren’t talking about a case that none of us have even heard of.
And no, I personally don’t give a crap about Jane Hague either. I’m just annoyed at dipshits like you who think that just because people aren’t cognizant of something, they’re inherently hypocritical. That’s idiotic.
Lee,
You are now cognizant of it and are saying nothing. But I guess as long as Republicans look bad who cares if someone is raped. Reminds me of the Clinton years…
@47
All I know is that he’s an Everett City Councilman who has been charged with rape while on probation for a DUI. How do I know the rape charges aren’t bogus? How am I supposed to have an informed opinion on this matter after some buffoon in a comment thread feeds me some information without any links?
I’ll see if I can Google some information on this guy. If you have news articles, post them in a comment.
[Deleted — Darryl, see HA Comment Policy]
@47
I just found the news article on the Everett Herald site. The charges against him are pretty serious. If he’s found guilty, I’d certainly want him to resign from his position at Sound Transit.
That aside, whether or not we write about that will be based upon whether its something we care enough about. Goldy’s stated agenda with this blog is to promote progressive candidates. If writing about Olson doesn’t fit that agenda, he won’t write about it. That doesn’t mean he excuses Olson’s behavior, it just means that it’s irrelevant to the mission of this blog. It’s not hypocritical unless he actually EXCUSES behavior by a progressive. He DOES NOT do that simply by choosing to not write about it.
I think to maintain credibility as you promote progressive candidates you would want convicted rapists to do more than just resign from Sound Transit. Just a thought.
@44
Marvin,
When I spoke to Richard, I asked him what distinguished him from his opponent and he just kind of stood there, stunned, without an answer. He may be a nice guy, even somewhat smart, but his ability to convey what he believes in is extremely lacking.
Jane Hague should hire Richard Pope to represent her in her DUI case. That way he cannot discuss her DUI case in his campaign without violating lawyer–client confidentiality!
@52
Depending on the circumstances, I could certainly support a lengthy prison term as well. Cases of rape involving alcohol, where consent is not certain due to intoxication can be difficult to find the correct punishment. I’m certainly not going to demand right now that he rot in jail for 20 years without a trial. But if he is guilty of any degree of rape, it doesn’t make sense for him to remain in such a high-profile position in a public agency.
Do you have a point here?
@54
Nice!
Lee,
Your point is basically that if a progressive rapes someone its ok to be silent on it here because it doesn’t fit “the mission of the blog”? My point is you lose any credibility as a human being or a promoter of a candidate if you remain silent about rape because it doesn;t further your political ends. Rahm Emmanuel would be proud of you guys and your Orwellian logic.
I guess my point would be a convited rapists might not be fit for any public office, not just Sound Transit board member.
@57
Your point is basically that if a progressive rapes someone its ok to be silent on it here because it doesn’t fit “the mission of the blog”? My point is you lose any credibility as a human being or a promoter of a candidate if you remain silent about rape because it doesn;t further your political ends. Rahm Emmanuel would be proud of you guys and your Orwellian logic.
What? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. As far as I can remember, there’s never been anything on this blog about Darfur. Does that mean that we support genocide? According to your utterly horrendous logic, we do. As I said before, it’s not hypocritical unless Goldy actually defends the actions of a progressive while condemning the similar actions of a non-progressive. If the purpose of this blog was to speak out about rape, or DUI’s, you might have a point. But that’s not the purpose of this blog, and you don’t have a point.
@58
I guess my point would be a convited rapists might not be fit for any public office, not just Sound Transit board member.
And if you think any of the authors of this blog disagree with that statement, you’re the dumbest person ever to leave a comment on this site (and that’s saying a lot).
Stanwoodsage above,
Why are you going off-topic in a thread about Jane Hague’s DUI charge?
I guess this just goes to show that you condone drunk driving, approve of politicians legislating under the influence, cheer on conservatives who kill liberals while driving drunk and approve of Wingnut politicians force-feeding babies peppermint schnapps.
Lee @ 51:“Goldy’s stated agenda with this blog is to promote progressive candidates.”
He seems to be failing miserably as he only promotes groupthink Democrats. None of that is “progress” and even if you use the political definition of “reform-minded,” it doesn’t work.
Tax, spend, cut, run…
Political correctness
The Nanny / Welfare State
Big Corporations = Bad
Big Government = Good
“All diversity is good as long as it isn’t diversity of opinion…”
None of the above — all publicly stated beliefs of the Left in one form or another — are in any way “progressive,” regardless of your definition. Not saying that the Far Right has any greater claim to progress, but they also don’t try to misappropriate the term.
The true “progressives” on the Left are folks like the Gang of 14 members and the Blue Dogs — leaders who put progress ahead of politics.
The Real Mark @ 61,
Dude…
Wingnut talk-radio overdose much?
If your goal is to create an echo chamber to snicker about minor republican misdeeds while turning a blind eye to major misdeeds by progressives then, to borrow a phrase, mission accomplished.
But if you want to credibly promote progressives, be credible. Even putting aside credibility, to be an effective, principled movement you cast out dead weight (hint: elected officials who rape people fall into that category). Why not immediately respond “Hadn’t heard it. If true, rapists shouldn’t be in office”. Instead you chose to enagage in a lengthy defense of remaining silent about rape charges against progressives.
Which posture do you think Darcy Burner would take?
Daryl @ 62
1. I don’t listen to talk radio.
2. Show me where any of those positions are contrary to the “progressive” agenda.
One would think that you (and Goldy and the rest) would wear your Yellow Dog pedigree with pride.
@61
OK, let’s see here. One of the progressive candidates he promotes is Darcy Burner. Let’s break this down:
Tax, spend, cut, run…
She wants to curtail the deficit and stop wasting so much taxpayer dollars in Iraq. She is running against a man who was visited yesterday by the President who has grown the size of the Federal Government more than any other President in the modern era. Reducing the deficit, reducing the size of the federal government (more on that later), and implementing a foreign policy that actually works are all progressive ideals and things that Darcy Burner supports.
Political correctness
You’ll have to give me an example of where Darcy Burner has been “politically correct”. I seem to have missed it.
The Nanny / Welfare State
Well, Dave Reichert believes that the Federal Government has the right to overturn Washington State’s medical marijuana law (he’s voted to allow for federal resources to be spent arresting medical marijuana patients in this state). Darcy does not believe that Washington State residents need the Federal Government to protect us from ourselves. In addition, Dave Reichert openly supports Rudy Giuliani, who has often stated his love for the nanny state and governed New York during a turn where nanny statism was taken to an alarming level (including forcibly disarming New York residents without cause). Darcy Burner supports the 2nd Amendment. Dave Reichert has endorsed a Presidential candidate who sued the gun manufacturers.
As for the welfare state (which is separate from the nanny state), many Americans see progressivism in issues such as providing better health care and making it easier to afford college. Having the government fix these issues is progressive and is not inherently leading to a greater nanny state.
Big Corporations = Bad
Darcy used to work at Microsoft, so it’s safe to say she doesn’t think this.
Big Government = Good
No modern President has increased the size of the Federal Government as much as George W Bush has. What progressives want is more efficient government, rather than sprawling bureaucracies that allow for rewarding political cronies.
“All diversity is good as long as it isn’t diversity of opinion…”
If you can give me an example of when Darcy Burner has tried to stifle diversity of opinion, I’ll be impressed. I’ll also be waiting for a loooooong time.
None of the above — all publicly stated beliefs of the Left in one form or another — are in any way “progressive,” regardless of your definition.
None of the above are positions held by nearly anyone on the left. They are imaginary positions that idiots like Rush Limbaugh and the buffoons at Fox News tell you are positions held by people on the left. And because you’re a fucking retard, you believe them.
Stan @ 63:
You have to understand that much of this blog is an illicit-substance-fueled circle jerk of Yellow Dogs in unwashed Che Guevara T-shirts.
“1. I don’t listen to talk radio.”
Oh…I see. You’re just fucking nuts.
“2. Show me where any of those positions are contrary to the “progressive” agenda.”
You didn’t state any “positions.” You just spewed a bunch of wingnut talking points.
“One would think that you (and Goldy and the rest) would wear your Yellow Dog pedigree with pride.”
Me? Yellow Dog? No way. I was Red Hat, but my real roots are in BSD 2.x.
@63
If your goal is to create an echo chamber to snicker about minor republican misdeeds while turning a blind eye to major misdeeds by progressives then, to borrow a phrase, mission accomplished.
Good for you!!! You’re figuring it out!!! This website is about promoting progressive candidates!! Wow, and it only took like 30 some comments.
But if you want to credibly promote progressives, be credible. Even putting aside credibility, to be an effective, principled movement you cast out dead weight (hint: elected officials who rape people fall into that category).
Of course you do. And if anyone on this site were to take the time to look at what’s happening with Mark Olson, they’d come to the same conclusion that you would, that if he’s guilty of what he’s charged with, he should resign from his positions and probably go to jail. The problem here, again, is that NO ONE KNEW WHO THE FUCK MARK OLSON WAS WHEN YOU FIRST CAME HERE. Is that so fucking hard to understand?
Why not immediately respond “Hadn’t heard it. If true, rapists shouldn’t be in office”. Instead you chose to enagage in a lengthy defense of remaining silent about rape charges against progressives.
No, we tried to explain to you that just because we don’t write about something doesn’t mean that we’re secretly hoping that some person like Mark Olson is getting away with it. You were the one who made that leap of logic, and that’s why you look like a complete retard now.
Which posture do you think Darcy Burner would take?
Are you a complete idiot? Do you really not know how Darcy Burner would react to the Mark Olson case? Seriously, how stupid do you have to be to think that?
Stanwoodsage: Darcy would not take a position because she would not find it on the DNC web site.
69 Well, golly gosh all fish-hooks, Putty-Putt….considering you and Mark don’t seem to do much except parrot the same 25 slogans from the Heritage Foundation Handbook for Mindless Drones….that’s more than a little ironic.
I support Richard Pope.
Jane Hague is the Republican Chris Gregoire – dumb, blonde, contemptous of our democracy, and elitist. Fire ’em both in ’08!! Recall Jane Hague!!
After his landslide primary victory, Richard Pope appears to have disappeared from the comments here. Now I wonder what that could be about?
That’s King County Councilwoman Jane Hague (R-Margaritaville) to you.
#68 Lee says:
Gotta give you credit, the right leaning websites never admit that they refuse to call out their own. Kudos.
Proud to be an Ass @ 72
Discretion is the better part of valor.
Please, Richard, be discrete enough never to blow a .141 !!
@30 “Again, I thought the Dems were the ‘Party of the People’ — openness and sunshine and all that.”
You have to be a Cro-Magnon. No Neanderthals allowed. That leaves you out.
@41 “but isn’t there some sort of fine print technicalities about a non-Democratic running as a Democrat?”
Seems to me the fine print technicality is: How do you know he’s not a Democrat? He says he is. People change their minds, you know. Pope didn’t do anything that Peter von Reichbauer has done. Actually, less, because PVR waited until the voters elected him as a Democrat before announcing he was switching to the GOP. At the time, a lot of people thought that was dishonest. Pope is honest. He didn’t run as a Republican in a Republican district and get elected as a Republican and then say, “Hey everybody, I’m really a Democrat.” To find that kind of liar, you have to look in the Republican Party.
@41 P.S., who appointed you to decide who’s a Republican and who’s a Democrat?
Everett Herald Story On Rape Accusation Against Everett Councilmember Mark Olson
“Everett official faces hearing over allegations
“By Scott North and Diana Hefley, Herald Writers
“EVERETT — Everett City Councilman Mark Olson is facing … allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in June after an evening of drinking.
“Olson, 52, has been ordered to appear at a Sept. 11 hearing in Cascade District Court in Arlington. The hearing will explore whether Olson has violated an agreement that enabled him to seek treatment in lieu of prosecution after a 2003 drunken driving arrest … [by] drinking with the woman ….
“Meanwhile, the Washington State Patrol expects to finish its investigation into a rape allegation sometime next week. Investigators are trying to determine if the sex was consensual or if a crime occurred.
“The investigation has been under way since late June, when state detectives searched Olson’s downtown Everett law office … for evidence of second-degree rape …. A woman told Everett police she believed she had been sexually assaulted by Olson in his office the night before.
“Olson and the woman had spent the evening with other friends at restaurants in Everett. She told detectives she had four drinks that night and felt very intoxicated, according to a sworn search warrant affidavit.
“The woman recalled being at Olson’s office at one point, and woke the next morning with bruises and other reasons to believe that sexual activity had occurred, documents said. She told investigators she had no memory of consenting to a sexual encounter, and believed she was too impaired to provide consent, according to court papers.
“Everett police requested that the State Patrol investigate the allegations to avoid a potential conflict of interest. State Patrol detective Jeff Rhue said Friday he expects next week to forward the results of his investigation to Skagit County prosecutors. …
Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Rich Weyrich said his office has agreed to handle the case because Snohomish County prosecutors wanted to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
“Olson’s 2003 drunken driving case … stemmed from an incident … on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. Olson was pulled over after he nearly hit a tribal police officer who had stopped another vehicle. A test allegedly showed Olson’s blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit.
“Olson has been on the City Council since 2001. His current term ends in 2009.”
Quoted under fair use; for complete story and/or copyright info see http://www.heraldnet.com/artic.....7/-1/rss02
Roger Rabbit Commentary: OK, here’s the deal as I see it. Olson was elected to the Everett City Council in 2001 and re-elected (with 56.7% of the vote) in 2005 for a term expiring in 2009. This is a “Non-Partisan” position, so I don’t know if this guy is a Republican or a Democrat, nor do I care, because my answer is the same in either case.
Olson, unlike Hague, is not running for re-election this fall so there is no question before voters about his continuing in office. The only possible question is whether he should resign, which is a somewhat different question than whether voters should choose Richard Pope or Jane Hague on the ballot.
From the newspaper story above, it is apparent that Olson accepted a deferred prosecution on a DUI charge. It seems he blew twice the legal limit, i.e., .16, making him even drunker than Hague (.141). And he almost ran over a cop! He was serving on the council when this occurred (2003). Assuming the incident was reported in the media at the time, Everett voters re-elected him in spite of it, which is their prerogative.
Now in August 2007 Olson is out drinking with a woman who is not his wife (I don’t know if he’s married) and she wakes up the next morning believing she had sex the night before, although she was too drunk to remember. She vaguely remembers being in Olson’s law office.
Now, keeping in mind these are allegations at this point, and the investigation hasn’t been completed, I say the rape issue is moot because the mere fact he was out drinking with this woman while in still subject to the terms of a DUI deferred prosecution is sufficient grounds to toss his ass off the council. Olson ought to resign.
But if he did haul a drunk female companion to his law office after hours and have sex with her there, it’s pretty fucking obvious that the sex was premeditated on his part, and as an attorney he knows damn well that a drunk woman is incapable of consenting to sex. Unless the woman’s story is complete cock and bull, and no sex occurred, Olson probably is going to lose his license to practice law — regardless of whether he is charged or convicted in connection with the rape allegation. And, if his story is true, he ought to.]
That’s my two cents.
Stanwoodsage, the funny thing about us liberals — as you will learn — is that when a Democratic officeholder misbehaves, we don’t sweep the misbehavior under the carpet or make excuses for the guy or shield him from consequences. We believe the chips should fall as the circumstances warrant.
That’s the difference between us and Republicans.
@42 “Do you really feel being a partisan means you don’t notice, or intentionally ignore, rape charges?”
What basis do you have for accusing Goldy of intentionally ignoring the Olson story when Goldy just posted that he never heard of it? How can he intentionally ignore something he never heard of? Goldy lives in Seattle; what makes you think he reads the Everett Herald and follows what goes on in Everett on a daily basis? How often does Goldy ever comment on anything happening outside King County?
Methinks you’re blowing smoke out of your ass.
@44 Dem candidate for what? Is Olson running for something? What’s he running for?
@51 What charges? The Everett Herald story I found is dated Saturday, and says the investigation isn’t completed yet. As far as I know, Olson hasn’t been charged with anything. The Sept. 11 hearing has nothing to do with the rape allegation. That concerns whether he violated the terms of his deferred prosecution by drinking.
@52 “I think to maintain credibility as you promote progressive candidates you would want convicted rapists to do more than just resign from Sound Transit. Just a thought.”
Do you have a link showing Olson has been convicted of rape?
@61 You would be one of the last persons on earth to know what the candidates Goldy promotes stand for. The amount of effort you expend on finding out is zilch.
@71 “Jane Hague is the Republican Chris Gregoire – dumb, blonde, contemptous of our democracy, and elitist. Fire ‘em both in ‘08!!”
I’m willing to go halfway with you on this.
@76 I think what he meant by “discreet” is keeping a low profile in HorsesAss’ vulgarity-laced comment threads while an active candidate.
@61 The Real Mark
err don’t you have it all backwards? or did you mistype? I think there are a few changes in what you say would imprpve yuor argument.:
Tax, spend, cut, run…
Lets see … US incomes have fallen for the first time in 20 years, out debt is astronomical and owned by our largest opponent/ I may be simple minded but is there a reason you think BORROWING money is better than taxing ourselves?
Oh cut and run .. you mean as in we bomb the hell out of Afghanistan then get out? Or do you mean Lebanon?
Political correctness
Aha!!! As in appointing Clarence Thomas? Or invoking Jesus as part of a campaign team? Or dd you mean calling the French names? How about pretending that Coni Rice is amajor foreign plicy expert or keeping a fellow on as AG after he has drivelled in public?
The Nanny / Welfare State
now … now I understand, you mean exerting state control over the use os different orifices for sex, being sure kids all pray to your Jesus in school, underwriting rich folks investment in China, or assuring that certain kinds of income are never taxed so rich folks can get richer without having to work?
Oh yeh, howsa about keeping out them nast furriners so real Mericans can work at Msoft?
Big Corporations = Bad
I think you have this one wrong, assuming your idea was to support the liberal side, Isn;t ti the demns who opposed Enron, want to tax oil companies, etc?
Big Government = Good
Yep, we do have the biggest government in history (it shrink under Clinton, tsk tsk),
“All diversity is good as long as it isn’t diversity of opinion…”
Errr ahhhh … Darcy meets in a bar, Jimmy Carter bloodies his hands at building sites, Hillary and Barack hold open town meetings. Demo candidates include true Vietnam vet and heroes. Bush bans tee shorts and speaks only at meetings of the retired veterans of the Spanish American war? He can’t seem to hire anyone who actually fought in Vietnam ,, is he prejudiced against vets?
Repricans won’t even vote for John McCain, the man favors immigartion reform for Jesus’ sake. And then there is that plygamist form mass. Lets ee what is real diversity?? Clarence Thomas vs Barck Obama? Is one of these a Tom?
I agree but you need to correct a few words in your last two paragraphs:
“None of the above — all publicly stated beliefs of the
Leftright in one form or another — are in any way“progregressive,” regardless of your definition. Not saying that theFarRight has anygreaterclaim to progress,but they also don’t try toeven though they do misappropriate the term.The true
“progressives”patriots on theLeftright are folks like the Gang of 14 members and the few politicians like Chuck Hague— leaderswho put progress ahead of politics. “Comment 90:
What in the world is the problem at King County? Are election machinations, including Hague’s efforts to hide her actions, the problem or a symptom of something even more serious?
-Douglas Tooley
Tacoma, WA
@88 Rog
Nobody appreciates my humor. It’s just as well.
Discrete=unique=Republican turned demo.
See also wingtip vs loafer.
Never mind, sorry i brought it up.
#80 Roger Rabbit says:
Marv’s easy answer. Liberal bias… The article didn’t mention he was a republican so that means he’s a democrat. Silly rabbit, haven’t you learned a thing since I got here?
Previously on staff of U.S. Sen. Henry M. Jackson and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Meeds in Washington, D.C., as well as Everett Mayors Robert Anderson and Bill Moore.
http://www.heraldnet.com/artic...../510230717
@92
Marv’s easy answer. Liberal bias…
I think that’s Marv’s only answer.
As we’ve explained several times already, EVERETT CITY COUNCIL SEATS ARE NON-PARTISAN SPOTS.
#93 Lee says:
@92
Meaning only non-partisan people are elected to the position? hahaha
Please explain wy he worked solely for democrat political leaders?
Meaning only non-partisan people are elected to the position? hahaha
Please explain wy he worked solely for democrat political leaders?
No, you idiot. That would explain why the NEWSPAPER DIDN’T MENTION IT!