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

People cross Hoyt Avenue next to the Imagine Children’s Museum on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett adds ‘no sit, no lie’ zone around children’s museum

It’s the fourth buffer zone added since last year where it’s illegal to sit or lie down.

Gov. Jay Inslee campaigns against Initiative 2117, which would cut the state’s carbon cap and investment program, at Aslan Brewery in Bellingham on Oct. 5. Environmentalists and one of the world’s biggest oil companies support Washington State’s cap on carbon. But voters are deciding whether to repeal the law amid concerns about energy costs. (Grant Hindsley / The New York Times)
With $10B deficit looming, Inslee calls for WA agencies to make cuts

The outgoing governor says reductions are needed to balance the next budget. Lawmakers may also consider new taxes.

Everett
Everett man who dealt fentanyl to undercover agent gets federal prison

Dane Britton will spend six years behind bars after selling guns and drugs to a federal agent.

The Marysville Municipal Jail is pictured Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville increases mandatory minimum penalties for repeat offenders

The city still doesn’t know the effects of the original ordinance, but still strengthened the penalties this month.

Interim Marysville School District Superintendent David Burgess speaks at a presentation regarding potential school closures Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville unveils 3 options for upcoming school closures

The new School Closure Planning Committee will recommend one of the options to the school board by December.

One of the parking lots at Stevens Pass Thursday afternoon on December 30, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Stevens Pass expected to open Dec. 6

But that depends on the weather. Last year, the ski resort had to delay opening due to a lack of snow.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood man charged in crash that killed genealogical society head

Joseph Checkeye is accused of driving 85 mph before hitting Ronald Sailer on Fire Trail Road in 2022.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers speaks to the crowd during an opening ceremony at the new PAE2 Amazon Fulfillment Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Somers defends Snohomish County property tax hike amid criticism

The county executive issued a statement aiming to dispel incorrect information about his proposed property tax increase.

Brandon Hughes, a utility worker from Okanogan County, works on repairing a power line on Friday, Nov. 22 east of Lake Stevens, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Thousands still without power in Snohomish County after bomb cyclone

Libraries are providing access to electricity as crews from across Washington work to fix power lines.

Lynnwood
Woman killed at Lynnwood encampment during bomb cyclone identified

Officials identified the deceased as Deborah O’Connor, 65. She died of compressional asphyxia and blunt force injuries.

A closed road at the Heather Lake Trail parking lot along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mountain Loop Highway closes for the winter

The scenic highway closes each year for winter. This year, it reopened June 10.

Part of a fallen tree came through an Amtrak train Tuesday night. (Photo provided by the state Department of Transportation)
Amtrak engineer nearly impaled by tree in Silvana during bomb cyclone

The train was carrying 48 passengers from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seattle when it hit a fallen tree on the tracks.

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.