Complaint Opinion 14-07
Date
09/02/2014
Number
Complaint 2014 - No. 7
Topic
Campaign Use of Public Resources
Respondent
Hurst
Question/Complaint
It was alleged that Respondent used his legislative phone to assist or oppose judicial candidates, that his involvement in the campaign constituted a conflict of interest, and that his actions constituted extortion.
Summary
No state phone was used. Conflict of interest statute is inapplicable and extortion is a criminal offense and beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Board. Case dismissed for lack of reasonable cause on election issue (RCW 42.52.180) and for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction on extortion claim.