Washington Lt. Governor Brad Owen has agreed to a $15,000 ethics fine. The settlement announced Friday stems from the five-term Democrat’s use of state resources to operate a nonprofit with his wife.
The ethics investigation concluded that Owen used his office and staff to help run Strategies for Youth, a nonprofit that went around to schools, performing concerts with an anti-bullying message.
On occasion, Owen’s staff helped schedule and set up these concerts. Owen also hired one of the musicians as his administrative assistant. When Strategies for Youth dissolved in 2011, Owen’s wife, Linda, inherited the nonprofit’s assets.
“There is certainly an aggravating factor present here which is that Lt. Governor Owen is an elected official,’ said Chad Standifer, a lawyer with the Executive Ethics Board. “But there is also a mitigating factor present, which is that the Lt. Gov. Owen’s goal was a positive one — to educate kids through these programs.”
In a statement, Owen said he agreed to the settlement to “put an end to a frustrating process.” He vowed to “continue with vigor” his efforts on behalf of Washington children.
Five-thousand dollars of the fine will be suspended if Owen has no further ethics violations over the next two years.