Brad Shannon:
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Brad Shannon maintains this blog. He is political editor at The Olympian and can be reached at 360-753-1688 or bshannon@theolympian.com.

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UPDATE 2: Gregoire supports outside review of Accountancy Board

• Published October 21, 2009

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Gov. Chris Gregoire says she now wants an outside review of the state Board of Accountancy, which this week agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a raft of lawsuits and records-law problems. UPDATE 1: The board is expected to vote on such a review at its meeting Thursday.

My story ran today in The Olympian about the $500,000 payout to Redmond accountant D. Edson Clark, who alleged the agency retaliated against him with a 2005 investigation into allegations of a conflict of interest.

The Governor's Office did not respond to my requests for comment Monday and Tuesday until after I left the office early last evening. Here�s the governor�s statement:

I am pleased the Board of Accountancy is planning to bring in an outside consultant to examine their policies and procedures. I have seen no evidence of corruption or fraud in the Board's operation, but this review will help ensure that the Board is operating with best practices in place. I am also glad this matter is now settled so the Board can focus its attention on fulfilling its mission to protect the public interest.

As of yesterday, the board's vice chairman, Gerald F. Ryles of Kirkland, gave no indication the board would authorize an outside review, which Clark has sought. I haven't been able to reach board executive director Rick Sweeney this morning to explain what the board might approve at its meeting tomorrow in SeaTac.

But Glenn Kuper, Gregoire's interim communications director, said today that the Governor's Office has been told the board is intending to authorize a review.

Gregoire's deputy chief of staff Joyce Turner had written a March 27 letter rejecting the suggestion the board was corrupt.

UPDATE 1: Rick Sweeney, executive director for the Board of Accountancy, says he's recommending an outside consultant's review of the agency policies and practices.

He said he's discussed the idea with some board members individually and found they were supportive. The board could vote on the idea Thursday when members convene for an annual meeting at SeaTac�s DoubleTree Inn.

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