Federal agents started investigating indicted Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley before he was elected to that office. That’s according to a document prosecutors filed Tuesday in federal court.
It’s a stunning revelation: even as Troy Kelley campaigned for state auditor in September of 2012, federal agents started digging into his past. According to federal prosecutors, the criminal investigation was sparked when Kelley’s Republican opponent unearthed a civil lawsuit that alleged Kelley had misappropriated millions of dollars in homeowner fees.
It’s still unclear when Kelley himself became aware of the investigation. He was interviewed by IRS agents just a few months after taking office. But he wasn’t indicted until earlier this year.
Kelley has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges including possession of stolen property and filing false tax returns. His trial is scheduled for next March. He’s currently on leave from office and has ignored calls to resign.
