Corruption Charges Rock Yakima County Government
A grand jury indicts three county commissioners for nonfeasance, urging taxpayers to demand leaders who put the public interest above private gain.
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The Yakima county grand jury Saturday returned indictments against county commissioners James Lancaster, William Staplehut and James Stuart on charges of nonfeasance in office. Lancaster was also indicted on a charge of misconduct in office. The grand jury’s report arraigns the administration of several of the county officers and recommends the recall of the three county commissioners. The taxpayers are advised to 'fill the place with men who will conduct the business of their offices according to the strict letter of the law, and place public interest before private gain.' The grand jury also returned indictments against B. Schmidt, chairman and B. A. Bannister, clerk of the Wapato school board. They are indicted under the statute which makes it illegal for any member of the board to be financially interested in any contract which the board has authority to execute.
“The taxpayers are advised to fill the place with men who will conduct the business of their offices according to the strict letter of the law.”
Local political corruption and conflicts of interest remain evergreen issues in Washington State. The grand jury's appeal to 'put public interest before private gain' echoes the same rhetoric used in modern local election cycles.
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