Despite jury verdict, Troy Kelley should resign to restore confidence in auditor’s office

OLYMPIA…A federal jury Tuesday returned a verdict of not guilty on one of 15 counts in the trial against state auditor Troy Kelley for possession of stolen property, money laundering and tax evasion, wrapping up a scandal that cast a dark cloud over not only Kelley, but over the Washington State Auditor’s Office as well.

Sen. Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, made the following statement in response:

“The jury has made its decision, but the public trust has been violated. The elected office of state auditor has been sullied by Mr. Kelley’s trial. He should do the right thing and resign and give the electorate and the state auditor’s office a chance to heal and move forward. There’s a lot of work to do on government accountability and the entire ordeal has left the public unable to trust him as Washington’s watchdog.”