OLYMPIA — Some Republican legislative leaders are renewing calls for Democratic Washington state Auditor Troy Kelley to take a leave of absence while a federal investigation surrounding him plays out.
Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler also said Tuesday that Kelley should be more transparent about the events that have led to federal agencies to seek documents from his home and office as well as records related to him at other state agencies and the Legislature.
Kelley, who has not spoken publicly about the investigation, has only issued two written statements, the most recent on Monday saying that he was aware that the U.S. attorney has questions about financial activities at a business he owned before he was elected, but that he was “puzzled by their interest.”
Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee has said that Kelley should be open with the public, but has not called on him to resign or take leave.
