Tacoma's Million-Dollar Water Deal Was Built on Bribery, Suit Alleges
A city lawsuit over the purchase of a light and water plant charged that officials and the company colluded to hide the property's true value before taxpayers bought it.
Tacoma, April 8.—Special.—Judge Pritchard today decided that City Attorney Wickersham's amended complaint in the million-dollar damage suit could be filed. Arguments were made by Judge Wickersham and Attorney H. A. Gorell. The company was allowed to file a bill to strike out certain parts of the complaint alleging fraud, collusion and bribery. It will be a month yet before the preliminary pleadings are out of the way so the case can be tried on its merits. The amended complaint shows that by collusion between the light and water company and certain city officials the proper examination and appraisement of the plant was prevented and neglected, and the city interfered with in making a thorough investigation of the value and condition of the plant prior to its purchase. In the original complaint there was also a general charge with reference to bribery; and that this point might be made more plain, and not open to objection from counsel for the light and water company, the amended complaint goes into detail of such transactions, specifying names and dates, amounts paid and accepted.
“By collusion between the light and water company and certain city officials the proper examination and appraisement of the plant was prevented and neglected.”
The Tacoma suit alleged that a public utility purchase was rigged before citizens could learn what they were buying. It is an early Washington example of the fights over privatization, utility rates and public records that still shape local government.
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