Things have been relatively quiet on the Washington state Auditor's front since last fall, but Auditor Troy Kelley is back in the news this week. The Washington State House of Representatives do NOT plan to impeach, or remove him from office. But it's NOT for the reasons you might think.

The Democratically-controlled House is not doing it for political purposes. In fact majority leader Frank Chopp and minority GOP leader Dan Kristiansen of Snohomish both delivered a letter to Lt. Governor Brad Owens saying they will not choose to impeach the embattled auditor because his attorneys could use it to delay his federal prosecution.

You may remember Newstalk 870 reported last spring Troy Kelley's home was raided by the FBI and federal treasury agents. The result was an investigation into Kelley's private business practice before he became a Representative, then was appointed as Auditor by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Kelley is under federal indictment on numerous federal corruption and other charges stemming from embezzlement and misuse of millions of dollars from his old real estate business operation.

The House leadership says Kelley's attorneys would likely use the impeachment to set back his federal trial, and drag things along for a considerable time. The House has said depending upon the result of the federal trial, they still may impeach him, and both GOP and Democratic House leaders called for his immediate resignation.

Kelley actually returned to work during the winter.

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