Investigation Launched Into Personal Relationship Between Everett Mayor And Deputy Mayor

Received the following Press release after the Everett City Council came back from Executive Session in their meeting tonight…

Deputy Mayor Nick Harper

Mayor Cassie Franklin

At its regularly scheduled meeting, the Everett City Council voted to direct the Council President to enter into a contract with Stokes Lawrence and Amy Kangas Alexander to conduct an investigation to determine whether a personal relationship between the Mayor and Deputy Mayor violates any laws or policies and to investigate whether there was any misuse of city resources or other malfeasance related to that relationship. The Council has retained Lisa Marshall of Kenyon Disend, PLLC of Issaquah, Washington as outside legal counsel to oversee the work.

Of the action, Stonecipher said “I concur with the advice of our outside legal counsel to make further inquiries about the circumstances and details of the personal relationship between the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. I hope and expect this work will reveal no wrongdoing, but I do believe it is our obligation as elected officials to ensure that government is operating effectively and lawfully. This is vital to preserve and protect our community’s faith in the integrity of our municipal government.”

The action came after the Councilmembers recessed to attend a private executive session. All seven Councilmembers were present for the vote, which was unanimous.
“There is no firm timeline on this investigation,” says Stonecipher, “we will follow the advice of our legal counsel and allow the process to unfold as it must.”