State Rep From Bremerton Fights Ethics Charges in Rare Public Hearing
The board could fine Simmons $5,000 per violation after allegations that she used campaign money and her office to aid nonprofit hiring.
- Washington state Representative Tarra Simmons faced a two-day public hearing before the Legislative Ethics Board this week, defending herself against allegations she misused her legislative position to benefit two nonprofit organizations.
- Ethics board staff argued Simmons improperly leveraged her status and a $10,000 campaign donation to help her partner secure a job at the American Equity and Justice Group, while also securing $500,000 in state grant funding for a nonprofit where she worked.
- Testifying Tuesday, Simmons emphasized her background as the first formerly incarcerated state representative and insisted she maintained hypervigilance regarding ethics laws, denying she placed conditions on any donations or funding requests.
- Proceedings concluded Tuesday evening, with written closing statements due by June 23. If the board finds Simmons breached ethics rules, she could face fines of up to $5,000 per violation and be ordered to pay legal costs.
- Simmons, who represents the 23rd Legislative District, is up for re-election this November. She faces competition from Poulsbo Democrat Daria Ilgen, who stated she is ready to fight for the district without distraction or personal agenda.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Washington lawmaker accused of ethics violations cites troubled past at public hearing
Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons, a Democrat from Bremerton, is facing ethics charges that she used her standing as a lawmaker to get a friend hired at a nonprofit she is closely associated with, and that she used leftover campaign money to help another nonprofit where she used to work.
The Center Square
'I had a really rough life': Lawmaker defends herself in rare ethics hearing
(The Center Square) - A state board on Tuesday held a second day of public hearings into an ethics complaint against Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons that could result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines for the lawmaker.
Nisqually Valley News
The Reflector'I had a really rough life': Washington lawmaker defends herself in rare ethics hearing
A state board on Tuesday held a second day of public hearings into an ethics complaint against Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons that could result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines for the lawmaker. Allegations stem from Simmons’ interactions with two nonprofit organizations, the American Equity and Justice Group and the Equity in Education Coalition. She is said to have improperly leveraged her position as a state lawmaker and a $10,00…
'I had a really rough life': Washington lawmaker defends herself in rare ethics hearing - The Daily Chronicle
A state board on Tuesday held a second day of public hearings into an ethics complaint against Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons that could result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines for the lawmaker. Allegations stem from Simmons’ interactions with two nonprofit organizations, the American Equity and Justice Group and the Equity in Education Coalition. She is said to have improperly leveraged her position as a state lawmaker and a $10,00…
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