COLVILLE, WA. -- Superior Court judges in Stevens County have expressed concerns about possible improper compensation received by the the Stevens County Prosecutor.
In September of last year, two judges filed a grievance with the Washington State Bar Association regarding Stevens County Prosecuting Attorney Tim Rasmussen, asking them to look into "persistent rumors and reports" for possible violations of Washington State law.
Judges Rebecca Baker and Allen Nielson wrote the Bar, citing reports that Rasmussen has been taking improper donations for his private charity, Water for Life International, which helps digs wells for villages in Guatemala.
The letter alleges Rasmussen accepted donations to his charity from Spokane County criminal defense attorneys, who "might wish to achieve a more favorable result in a criminal case pending in Stevens County."
According to the letter written by judges, one local criminal defense lawyer told them that while at a conference, another lawyer advised him that "the way good deals are achieved in Stevens County...is by giving to Mr. Rasmussen's charity."
KREM 2 News spoke with Rasmussen at his office in Colville Thursday, who denied the allegations. He told KREM 2's John Langeler that no favors have ever been exchanged between him or any criminal defense lawyers. Rasmussen said the complaint was originally brought to the judges' attention by a former deputy prosecutor who he had fired.
In the complaint, the judges also provided a photocopy of a written message slip, taken by a staff member in the Stevens County Prosecutor's Office, from a "Dave Miller," who allegedly came into the office to tell Rasmussen "he had a good month...does [Rasmussen's] charity need anything?" There is a criminal defense lawyer in Spokane County named David M. Miller.
Of 10 attorneys who contributed to Water for Life, those who responded to KREM 2 News said their contributions had nothing to do with Rasmussen, and that they wanted to donate to a worthy charity.
