Troy Kelley should resign or be removed as auditor

After proudly serving 20 years as state auditor, I am heartbroken to see this office, a respected champion of Washington taxpayers, now operating under a cloud brought on by the federal indictment of Troy Kelley.

For months now, I have followed the events surrounding Kelley – mounting federal charges against him, repeated calls for his resignation and potential impeachment, his own decision to take a leave of absence but remain state auditor, and his action to appoint a department manager to carry out his duties.

While I have occasionally commented when asked about these circumstances, I have refrained from weighing in because I could never have imagined no action being taken. But the sad saga of the office I profoundly respect and take pride in has gone on long enough. The recent editorials and a commentary from Kelley’s lawyer (Viewpoint, 11-1) prompt me to speak out.

I strongly believe that Kelley must relinquish his position and a state auditor be appointed to give the office what it needs most – true leadership that citizens demand, expect and deserve.

This is not about the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. It is about an important elected office that has been undeniably vacated, and it must be filled.

Clearly, Kelley has abandoned his duties to the office and Washington citizens. He is gone, and he won’t be back. His name is no longer on the door, and it doesn’t appear on the office’s web site. But he is still state auditor, at least in name only.

Presently, a highly capable staff is managing the day-to-day operations and professionally carrying out audits of state and local governments. However, technically they still work for Kelley. As long as he selfishly retains the title of state auditor, he continues to ignore the state constitution and state laws and erode the office’s public trust and credibility.

And he leaves a gaping leadership void.

The state auditor’s office needs fresh leadership now that is recognized and respected to restore that trust and credibility, particularly with the office’s fundamental role to ensure government accountability. Citizens need a leader to speak out on issues and publicly question any lack of accountability, transparency and actions that put taxpayer dollars at risk.

They need someone who can advance an agenda for open, accessible, responsible and responsive government. They need a leader who raises the visibility of the office so citizens know there is someone watching government in their behalf.

An example of this lack of leadership was evident in the past legislative session. Lawmakers took $6 million from the state auditor’s office budget designated by law for performance audits. That performance audit funding was directed by citizens years ago through a statewide vote.

Surely, no serving state auditor would have allowed that budget diversion without a visible public debate and without holding the Legislature publicly accountable in the light of day for its action.

There are options to consider to restore leadership to the office of state auditor. Those options depend on someone stepping forward to do the right thing.

First, Troy Kelley should resign. It would be the honorable thing for him to put the office ahead of his own interest. And it would have no bearing on his presumption of innocence.

If Kelley does not step down, the governor should declare the office vacant and fill the position according to state law. There is no precedent for Kelley’s leave of absence, so the governor should cast aside any such question and remove him.

If the governor doesn’t act, then the Legislature should move forward with impeachment. Lawmakers should recognize the significance of this predicament and be prepared to take swift action. The state auditor’s office is just too important to remain without the leadership intended by our state’s founders.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 3:59 AM with the headline "Troy Kelley should resign or be removed as auditor."