Over his decades in public life, former Gov. Albert Rosellini helped bring Washington into the modern era, burnishing his reputation as one of the state's most effective leaders.
But FBI officials who scrutinized Rosellini's activities in the 1960s saw something else. They questioned his political associations and probed a series of allegations that Rosellini was corrupt. The Seattle special agent in charge once wrote to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover that Rosellini was "a thorough scoundrel."
Rosellini was never charged with any crimes, nor was the target of any criminal investigation. Many of the allegations were uncovered in the 1960s, when President Lyndon B. Johnson was considering Rosellini for federal appointment.
Rosellini died in 2011. The documents were provided to The Associated Press in response to a public records request.
