Petition to recall prosecutor denied by Skagit judge

MOUNT VERNON — A Gold Bar blogger’s latest attempt to recall Snohomish County’s elected prosecutor met with defeat Friday.

Anne Block’s petition for a recall election targeting Mark Roe was rejected by Skagit County Superior Court Judge John Meyer.

The judge’s dismissal order says Block’s claims were factually and legally insufficient to support the idea that Roe engaged in conduct that warrants a vote to potentially remove him from office.

“Mr. Roe exercised his discretion appropriately and within the requirements of the laws of the State of Washington and the Snohomish County Code and consistent with his ethical obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct,” Judge Meyer’s dismissal order said.

Block last year was shut down in a separate attempt to recall Roe. On Jan. 29, she filed recall paperwork, claiming Roe engaged in misfeasance in responding to a federal lawsuit that she’s brought against the county, the city of Gold Bar and several current and former government employees.

Roe broke the law, Block argued, when his office agreed to spend up to $15,000 on outside legal counsel to represent Kevin Hulten, an aide to Aaron Reardon, the former county executive.

Hulten resigned his county job in May 2013 amid the scandal that erupted after The Daily Herald unmasked him as the person using the spoof identity “Edmond Thomas” and other pseudonyms to make a series of public records requests and to set up web pages attacking people he considered Reardon’s enemies. Hulten last year pleaded guilty to evidence tampering for loading a data-wiping program onto a county-owned computer before it could be examined by a detective investigating the misconduct.

Block named Hulten in her federal lawsuit because she was among the people records show that he harassed. He sought legal representation at county expense.

In court papers, Roe said he was disinclined to provide Hulten with a lawyer. But because he’d been harassed by Hulten, too, he asked San Juan County Prosecutor Randall Gaylord to review the circumstances and make the decision.

After review, Gaylord decided that Hulten is entitled to legal representation at public expense in Block’s civil lawsuit, but the prosecutor said that could change depending on evidence that may surface.

In addition to the two attempts at recalling Roe, Block twice tried to recall Reardon, as well as recall efforts aimed at then-sheriff John Lovick and some former Gold Bar officials. None of her recalls have survived legal scrutiny. Regardless, county officials expect she’ll attempt more recall actions. This week, Block posted to her Gold Bar Reporter site that Roe and Lovick will be the focus of fresh recall efforts.

Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

George Beard walks into the Stanwood Library with coffee in hand on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
As winter approaches, Stanwood man remains homeless

George Beard is living in his car because he’s too sick to work. So far, connections to resources haven’t been enough.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
‘Right-hand man’ in Snohomish County drug ring sentenced to 10 years

Humberto Garcia was convicted of drug trafficking in April. He’s the last member of the group to be sentenced.

Snow is visible along the top of Mount Pilchuck from bank of the Snohomish River near Rotary Park on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?

Initiative 24-03 proposes legal standing to prevent environmental damage. Opponents say it’ll lead to unnecessary lawsuits.

The Grand Avenue Park Bridge is seen as the sun sets in 2022 in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Elevator at Grand Ave. bridge in Everett closed due to vandalism

The city hopes to reopen the elevator by December. Repairs could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Riaz Khan finally wins office on his fifth try. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mukilteo police seek info on alleged attack on House candidate

Riaz Khan, a former City Council member, said he was fixing campaign signs Tuesday morning when two men attacked him.

Brandon Borg, 21, fills his gas tank in Everett on Oct. 24. Borg must drive long distances for work, and is worried about how the rise in gas prices will affect his ability to save money for his future. (Caroline Walker Evans for Cascade PBS)
Young WA voters say cost of living is their top concern

Everett and Seattle residents cited gas prices and rising rents as motivating factors for their votes this year.

The Snohomish County Jail is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Report reveals cause of Everett man’s death in Snohomish County Jail

Terry Crusha was booked into the jail on May 17. He died three days later, part of a string of deaths there.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Election Day is here. What you need to know in Snohomish County.

Local voters will decide on federal, state and local races, including a county tax measure and representation in Olympia.

Arlington
9K remain without power in Snohomish, Island counties

At one point Monday afternoon, over 20,000 had lost power. Winds were expected to subside.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists prepare to go back to work after strike ends

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Snohomish County Elections employees check signatures on ballots on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
5 things to watch in Washington heading into Election Day

Keep your eyes on statewide initiatives, the race for public lands commissioner and two contentious congressional races.

Snohomish County Elections employees Frank Monkman, left, and Tina Ruybal, right, place sorted ballots in a green container on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County’s guide to the 2024 election

Here is everything you need to know before Election Day.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.