Tim Eyman. File photo

Tim Eyman. File photo

Eyman: I may never qualify another ballot measure again

The anti-tax activist, accused of campaign violations, testified one last time in his bench trial.

  • By Jerry Cornfield jcornfield@soundpublishing.com
  • Friday, December 18, 2020 2:14pm
  • NewsNorthwest

OLYMPIA — Tim Eyman, accused of campaign violations, anticipates his legal battle with the state could make it impossible for him to ever pass another ballot measure.

But he doesn’t want to lose the ability to try, he told a Thurston County Superior Court judge, because political activism is in his blood.

“I believe I was born to do it,” Eyman testified in his civil trial on Thursday. “As a result of this thing, I may never be able to ever qualify another ballot measure … but at least I will be able to try.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

His time on the stand marked the end of testimony in a bench trial that has spanned parts of six days. Closing arguments will be scheduled later this month or early next year, after which Superior Court Judge James Dixon will rule.

The trial stems from a 2017 lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson alleging that Eyman failed to report shifting money that was donated for Initiative 1185, a tax-limiting measure, to the campaign for Initiative 517, which sought to modify the initiative and referendum process. Eyman served as an officer on committees for both.

Eyman is also alleged to have engineered a $308,000 kickback from a signature-gathering firm involved in those initiatives. He is also accused of failing to report as political contributions hundreds of thousands of dollars he received from friends and supporters.

Ferguson is seeking a penalty amounting to millions of dollars, and he wants Eyman permanently barred from directing financial transactions for any future political committees.

Eyman, who spent parts of three days on the witness stand, denied doing anything wrong. He said he followed the advice of financial and legal professionals before making the transactions and accepting the monetary gifts.

He said penalties sought by the state would neuter his participation in politics, a claim disputed by the Attorney General’s Office.

In the months and years before the trial, Eyman and his for-profit company, Watchdog for Taxpayers, was found in contempt for failing to produce documents sought by the state. That’s resulted in more than $300,000 in fines, which he is paying off in monthly installments.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dospueblos


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Fiery head-on crash in Kent along State Route 167 critically injures man

State Patrol arrests Tacoma man for investigation of vehicular assault after Sunday, Jan. 12 collision

Courtesy Photo, City of Kent
Kent city leaders to pursue state streamlined sales tax mitigation funds

Lobbying Legislature for more revenue to help uplift the Kent community

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District seeks applicants for vacant board position

Residents must live in District 4; board will pick replacement for Awale Farah who resigned

Appian Way Apartments, 25818 26th Pl. S., on Kent’s West Hill. COURTESY PHOTO, Apartments.com
Mercy Housing to pay for flood damages at Kent’s Appian Way Apartments

Units damaged after teen driver struck fire hydrant in parking lot

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire sends firefighters to combat LA wildfires

Seven firefighters part of group across the state to assist in California

t
Teen crashes into fire hydrant, floods Kent apartments

15-year-old driver reportedly moving car in parking lot when he struck hydrant

t
City of Kent opens two new roundabouts along Reith Road

Contractor wraps up construction along route between West Hill and Valley

File Photo
Death of Kent man, 61, at home in October 2024 ruled homicide

King County Sheriff’s Office says incident ‘remains an open death investigation’

t
Sound Transit light rail stations in Kent closer to completion | Photos

Vehicle testing begins as agency eyes spring 2026 opening of Federal Way Link extension

t
Kent Police bust four people for DUI on New Year’s Day

Officers arrest drivers between 1 and 5 a.m. during extra patrols following New Year’s Eve

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO
Three men charged in 2023 Kent murder of 48-year-old woman

Recent witness information identifying men help lead to charges in July 2023 shooting

FILE PHOTO, Bailey Jo Josie, Sound Publishing
Chase Wilcoxson, father to Matilda, 13, and Eloise,12, places a family photo at the roadside memorial dedicated to his daughters, Buster Brown, 12, and Andrea Hudson, 38, killed in a March 19 crash.
Year in review: Kent’s top stories of 2024

A month-by-month look at several of the headlining stories.