The federal probe involving Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley continues to expand.
Monday, the state’s Public Disclosure Commission confirmed that it has turned over records to the FBI.
The FBI sought and received all of Troy Kelley’s personal financial disclosure statements going back to when he was in the state House of Representatives. Agents also requested the complete case file relating to a 2012 campaign finance complaint against Kelley.
The Democrat returned to work Monday morning a week after his home was searched by federal agents, but did not meet with reporters. Instead he issued a statement that says his “actions over the years have been lawful and appropriate.”
Republican State Senator Mark Miloscia isn’t satisfied.
“The state Auditor is all about transparency, being the state leader on accountability,” Miloscia said. “You don’t hide in the office and expect people to believe that you actually care about accountability.”
Miloscia ran against Kelley for auditor in 2012. He now chairs the Senate Government Oversight Committee.
Kelley has not been charged with any crime and says he has “fully cooperated” with federal investigators.The State Auditor’s office has already responded to a grand jury subpoena.
Washington lawmakers could also potentially subpoena Kelley himself to testify -- or records from his office. State law empowers the legislature to “send for persons and papers” and compel attendance before a committee.
But Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler said it’s too early to say if that might happen.
“That power does exist. It has not been used during my career,” he said. “At this time we have a federal investigation and we should let the federal investigation work first before we consider getting involved [because] we could actually cause a conflict in the investigation.”
