Washington State Patrol Determines "No Criminal Intent" With Labor E-Mail

  (Olympia)— Washington State Patrol detectives, after consulting with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s office, have determined that the e-mail sent to legislative leaders last week from an employee of the Washington State Labor Council did not constitute criminal conduct. 

  “We looked carefully at the e-mail and at the law,” said State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. “We could not find a specific criminal statute that was violated.”  

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The e-mail appeared to tie future campaign contributions to legislative and gubernatorial action on a particular bill. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp and Governor Chris Gregoire referred the matter to law enforcement.

“We certainly understand why the recipients were concerned,” said Batiste. “It was entirely appropriate for them to have requested a criminal review.”

Because detectives were quickly able to determine the e-mail did not violate criminal statutes, no investigation beyond the initial review was necessary.