Campaign finance regulators charged Steven Drew, a Democratic Thurston County assessor, with illegally soliciting campaign contributions for the 2012 reelection of Democratic County Commissioner Sandra Romero, the Olympian reported.
Drew admitted to wrongdoing but denied any illegal activity or intention to illegally solicit donations. Drew could be fined up to $500 if he is found in violation of the law.
Drew disputes that he urged his employees to vote for Romero.
The [Public Disclosure Commission] interviewed four of Drew’s employees … None said explicitly that he or she felt pressured to donate to Romero or Kathleen Drew. But two managers quoted Drew as saying it "would be nice" if they contributed to Romero and two implied that contributions could help with the agency’s budget requests.
State law prohibits use of state facilities to further a campaign and public officials from knowingly soliciting contributions "directly or indirectly."
