Ethics Board dismisses complaint against Sen. Carrell

• Published July 16, 2008

The Legislative Ethics Board has dismissed a complaint against Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood that he improperly distributed two campaign-related brochures at a legislative town hall meeting in May.

In an order signed by board chairman Wayne Ehlers and dated today, the board found any violation was “inadvertent and minor.”

The board decision was split, however, and Ehlers found “reasonable cause to believe” Carrell held the meeting May 3 at DuPont Town Hall and that he gave campaign brochures to two members of the public who asked for more information about a particular piece of legislation.

Since Carrell lacked legislative handouts on the matter, he had asked his aide to retrieve the campaign brochures from his car. The brochures had information about recent legislation that dealt with repeat offender policies and the distribution of Department of Corrections facilities, which the constituents had asked about.

“Legislators and staff must be diligent in ensuring that a wall exists between legislative town hall meetings and use of campaign materials,” the board's order states.

Two board members — David Draper of Rochester and Donna McKereghan of Spokane — dissented on grounds there was too little evidence Carrell used state facilities “for the purpose of assisting a campaign.’’ They noted in the order that the brochure was brought into the meeting only at the request by no more than two attendees.

Democratic Sen. Debbie Regala of Tacoma abstained, according to the order.