Based on information from the state Elections Division and a probe by the Washington State Patrol, the King County prosecutor is taking action in a case involving apparent fraud by a signature-gatherer for Initiative 1098.

Charging papers filed with King County Superior Court today includes the patrol’s summary of its investigation. The patrol was asked by state Elections Director Nick Handy in July to investigate after initiative checkers found 349 names on 20 petition sheets that appeared to be invalid, with a number appearing to be in the same handwriting or were for people who weren’t registered voters.

RCW 29A.84.230 makes it a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Arraignment is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Secretary of State Sam Reed said:

“The people of Washington have used the cherished initiative and referendum process for nearly 100 years, and they expect a clean and trustworthy process that is free of signature fraud.

“We are pleased that Prosecutor Satterberg’s office is taking this case very seriously and is proceeding with prosecution, and we thank the Patrol for their fine job of investigating. This has been described as the worst case of attempted signature fraud we have seen. It may be only a tiny percentage of the total signatures, but it does represent an attack on the process, which relies greatly on the integrity of the people who circulate the petitions.”

I-1098 was certified to the ballot after a random sample – not including the questioned signatures – showed that ample signatures were submitted. The measure would implement a high wage-earner income tax and reduce the state-levied property tax and the business and occupation tax for some.

Our earlier blog post on this is here .