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Thursday, May 15, 2003
Attorney General's Office takes over investigation of Sultan chief
SULTAN -- The office of state Attorney General Christine Gregoire is taking over an investigation into allegations that the police chief here sexually harassed a young woman employee who worked for his department from 1999 to 2001.
The intervention was requested by the offices of the Snohomish County sheriff and prosecutor to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest in the investigation of Chief Fred Walser, Gregoire spokesman Gary Larson said in Olympia.
It's not clear how long the investigation will take, Larson said. "We're aware that issues raised about the chief need to be resolved as soon as possible, but we're also aware there needs to be a thorough investigation done."
The investigation will be handled by the criminal justice division, he said.
"The first step will be to consult with authorities in Snohomish County and look at materials already developed so we don't have to reinvent the wheel."
Sheriff Rick Bart, a longtime friend and associate of Walser's, raised the concerns.
"The sheriff's office hasn't wanted to handle this from the beginning," Mark Roe, the county's chief criminal deputy prosecutor, told The Herald of Everett for a copyright story yesterday.
Bringing in Gregoire's office means the case will be handled by "an outside agency that doesn't know Fred Walser from Adam," he said.
At issue are claims from a 22-year-old Lynnwood woman who had a civilian job with the Sultan Police Department. She contends she was the focus of repeated unwelcome physical contact from Walser, Bart said.
If true, the allegations could support a misdemeanor charge, the sheriff said.
"I'm surprised. I'm shocked," Bart said of the allegations.
"Just about anybody who knows Fred Walser is shocked beyond belief."
Walser has denied any wrongdoing and is on paid administrative leave.
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