Judge To Decide if Auditor Recall Petition Can Proceed

A Pierce County Judge is hearing arguments Friday, will likely render a decision on whether a recall petition effort to oust embattled Auditor Troy Kelley can move forward.

A West-side man, Will Knedlik, has assembled some 715,800 signatures in an effort to have a measure placed on the November ballot to recall the auditor.  Kelley is facing a federal indictment, ten charges ranging from tax evasion to other financial wrongdoings related to a business he helped run before becoming a state representative and then auditor in 2012.

The judge will decide of the petition has validity, and can be put on ballot. Gov. Jay Inslee has already called for Kelley to step down, he is currently taking a leave of absence. None of his accusations have anything to do with state policies or actions.