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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Washington PDC Accuses Eyman Of Taking Unreported Payments

Austin Jenkins
/
Northwest News Network
File photo of Washington anti-tax activist Tim Eyman.

Washington anti-tax activist Tim Eyman is in trouble again with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission. A lengthy investigative report released Monday alleges Eyman received a series of unreported payments.

According to PDC findings, in 2012 Eyman paid a signature-gathering firm called Citizen Solutions more than $600,000. But then, investigators allege, he received nearly half that money back in a payment that was not reported.

The investigation alleges he used the money he got back for personal living expenses and to support another initiative. The investigative report also finds evidence that Eyman may have received many such unreported payments from Citizen Solutions over the years.

In an email, Eyman’s attorney says the PDC report “omits and mischaracterizes evidence.”

Eyman is currently campaigning for passage of a new anti-tax measure on the fall ballot. He previously ran afoul of state campaign finance laws in 2002.

As it did then, the PDC is referring this latest case to Washington’s Attorney General.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."