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46 stories matching misconduct
- Tacoma’s Public Works Board Accused of Coercing City Employees
Depositions before the city council allege that public works bosses used their power to make employees campaign for the waterworks purchase—and that the board paid too much for sewer pipe.
- The Mayor's Private Mill: A Conflict of Interest in Old Seattle
Mayor Henry Yesler, facing accusations of professional misconduct, attempts to lease city-owned facilities to his own timber business under the guise of municipal efficiency.
- The Unchecked Power of a Federal Official
A federal official at the Seattle land office, known for his hot temper and suspicious treatment of settlers, escapes a serious perjury investigation with only a slap on the wrist.
- Masters and Pilots Revolt Against Port Inspector
A powerful local maritime union files formal charges against U.S. Inspector W. J. Bryant, alleging systemic corruption, bullying, and insurance kickbacks.
- The Chief of Police, The Saloon, and The Impeachment
In 1885, Seattle’s City Council moved to impeach Chief of Police James H. Woolery for allegedly turning a blind eye to unlicensed saloons and failing to enforce the law.
- The Bitter Primary: A Local Election Contest
After losing a primary race for county commissioner, C.H. McCready files suit alleging bribery and misconduct by local election boards.
- The Bar Association That Never Was
A local legal organization in Chehalis collapses into petty feuds, pointed insults, and accusations of judicial misconduct.
- A Judge Ate Candy While a Man's Life Hung on the Verdict
The state supreme court overturns a Jefferson County murder conviction after Judge Sachs reads newspapers and passes sweets on the bench — and delivers a rebuke that is the longest opinion of the term.
- The Doctor and the Alleged Blackmail Ring
A sensational damage suit in Seattle reveals accusations of professional misconduct, bribery, and complex personal vendettas.
- The Unceremonious Ousting of Chief Mitchell
After weeks of whispers regarding corruption and gambling dens, Seattle’s City Council fires the Police Chief in a move critics call 'hasty' and 'irregular.'
- The Strict Rules of Territorial Ballot Boxes
Before the secret ballot was standardized, Washington Territory enacted stern penalties to prevent election-day fraud, coercion, and liquor-fueled chaos.
- A Black Miner’s Last Chance: Court Refuses William Holmes a New Trial
Convicted of killing William B. Russell in a drunken brawl at Franklin, Holmes loses his bid for a new trial—then his lawyers challenge the court’s jurisdiction.
- Fire Commissioner Accused of Drunkenness and Selling His Vote
Mayor Phelps files formal charges against George T. Masel, alleging he sold his vote for chief, kept the chief in fear, and attended a West Seattle fire drunk.
- A Drunk Man, Two Women, and a $170 Lawsuit Against a Tacoma Saloon
F. E. Ellison says two women working at the Globe saloon-hotel rolled him while he was drunk. The proprietor says he is not responsible.
- Seventeen Hours in the Jury Room, Then 'Guilty'
Rev. M. H. Nichols is convicted of criminally libeling Rev. T. B. Ford after an all-night jury fight; his lawyers promise a new trial.
- A Jury Played Cards While a Murder Case Hung in the Balance
Convicted murderer Murphy was sentenced to fifteen years—again—as his lawyer attacked a jury that reportedly spent its 42-hour deliberation playing whist and pedro.
- A Governor's Board Takes On a Militia Commander—and a Bribery Charge
A state investigation will examine Gen. Curry's reinstatement of a Spokane company and a sergeant's claim that he paid Adj. Gen. O'Brien for a camp-store monopoly.
- Whatcom's Democrats Eat Their Own: 'Thieves, Fakirs and Impostors'
A county Democratic club meets to denounce its own officeholders — accusing a candidate of selling his nomination to the highest bidder and the party machine of swapping votes for cash — until a motion to adjourn ends the night in pandemonium.
- The Seattle Star's 'Inklings': A Glimpse into 1906 Courtroom Drama and Civic Life
From a bitter divorce trial involving accusations of insanity to the arrest of nineteen men selling whisky to Native Americans, this page captures the gritty, colorful daily life of Seattle in April 1906.
- "All the Devils in Hell Can't Get Me Out of This Position"
Puget Sound steamboat men spent a year trying to oust the federal hull inspector they accuse of padding his travel expenses. Their affidavits went to Washington City and vanished into red tape — and Bryant kept his job.
- Eight Days, $7 Million in Requests, and a Labor Agenda Left to Die
Washington's 1909 legislature entered its final week with appropriations far outrunning revenue, more than 30 liquor bills pending, and nearly every labor measure quietly sidetracked.