Ex-Official Accused Of Immoral Acts In Washington

A former Richland city councilman and top staffer for U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings is accused of telling a 14-year-old girl to read aloud from a sexually explicit magazine.

Darryl James Howard, 36, pleaded innocent Friday in Benton County Superior Court to communicating with a minor for immoral purposes - a gross misdemeanor. His attorney, Larry Zeigler, said he had no comment, other than to deny the accusations.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Prosecutors allege Howard, during an Aug. 4 cross-state car trip with two 14-year-old girls, told one girl to read aloud from the magazine, then asked both girls about their sex lives and offered to buy them condoms.

Howard was the engineer of Hastings’ successful bid last year for Congress. He resigned as Hastings’ district director last month, saying he wanted to pursue a career in professional campaign work.

Howard was elected to the Richland City Council in 1993, but stepped down in July with six months remaining in his two-year term.

A spokesman for Hasting’s campaign and Richland Mayor Jim Hansen said they weren’t aware of the charge against Howard.

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