Spokane7
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April 3, 2010 in City
Spouse of prosecutor’s race donor facing charges
Stevens keeping $500 campaign contribution
A candidate for Spokane County prosecutor has accepted a $500 campaign contribution from the wife of a man being prosecuted by the office he wants to oversee.
Records show that Republican prosecuting attorney candidate Dave Stevens accepted the donation in February and has kept the money despite knowing that the contributor’s husband, David Elton, faces three counts of felony harassment.
David Elton wrote in an e-mail in February that he would “donate as much as he could afford” to Stevens’ campaign. Documents from the state Public Disclosure Commission show that Elton’s wife, Belinda Elton, contributed $500 in February.
In an interview this week, Stevens said that he met with David Elton over coffee in February at Elton’s request and that it was during that conversation that he first learned about Elton’s legal problems. Stevens, a former Spokane County deputy prosecutor, said Elton tried to show him some papers related to the charges and that he told Elton not to talk to him about the pending case. He also said that he later advised Dale Nagy, the deputy prosecutor handling the case, that the conversation took place.
Stevens, who is challenging incumbent Republican Prosecutor Steve Tucker, said if Elton had sent him a check he would not have deposited it, but that he hasn’t refused the money, in part, because the donation was made over the Internet. He also said he’s short on campaign money, so he hasn’t returned it. “If I’d known what was going on with the guy, I would have never met with him and never had anything to do with him,” Stevens said.
Even so, Stevens said after he found out about the charges, he agreed to appear on Elton’s weekly radio show on KTRW 630 AM, a conservative local station.
“I just did it because I felt kind of obligated because he had donated,” Stevens said.
Elton, 44, is accused of making threats in e-mail messages to his ex-wife, Robin Stewart, Cowles Co. Chairwoman Betsy Cowles and Spokane City Council President Joe Shogan. The Cowles Co. owns The Spokesman-Review.
In an e-mail interview, Elton said “there is no conflict at all” for him to donate money to Stevens.
“I will donate the max to Dave Stevens,” Elton wrote. “Our current prosecutor is a horrible man. A true embarrassment to the voters.”
Court records indicate that Elton pleaded guilty in 2004 to harassment after he made a threatening phone call to his ex-wife.
Tucker said he wouldn’t take money from anyone facing charges from his office, but that he didn’t necessarily think it was a conflict for Stevens to do so.
Frank Malone, a Democrat also competing for the office, said he would return contributions from anyone facing charges from the office he hopes to oversee.
Elton’s ability to get attention from local politicians doesn’t end with Stevens.
It’s been more than a year since Elton wrote in an e-mail that he would “enjoy” the decapitation of Spokane City Council President Joe Shogan. But that alleged threat hasn’t stopped Shogan’s colleagues from appearing on Elton’s half-hour radio show.
Elton said he pays the station for the right to host the show, but declined to say how much.
So far, Elton’s guests have included City Council members Nancy McLaughlin and Steve Corker, former Councilman Al French, County Commissioner Mark Richard, and county commission candidate Steve Salvatori.
Those who’ve been on Elton’s show said their appearance was not meant in disrespect to Shogan.
“They are allegations,” Richard said. “I’m not one that’s prone to judge people before they’re found guilty of accusations.”
Said McLaughlin, “He was very pleasant and treated me very respectfully.”
And Shogan said he’s OK with his council colleagues appearing on Elton’s program.
Elton, a critic of the Cowles Co., said he likely will represent himself if the matter goes to trial.
“Tell Betsy her cross-examination will be very entertaining,” he said.
The alleged threat aimed at Shogan was written by Elton in an e-mail in December 2008.
In February 2009, Elton sent an e-mail that began “comedy below,” court records say. It then said he planned to kill himself before July 4 and that he wanted “to murder” a list of people that included Cowles and Stewart.
Elton has been open about his diagnoses of bipolarity and has discussed the disorder on his show.
“I believe this case will set a precedent in the area of freedom of speech … and also mental illness,” Elton said in the e-mail interview. “I feel a duty to represent my fellow bipolars. We are very much misunderstood.”
MAC faces angry crowd 
misjustice on April 03 at 8:08 a.m.
I’m certain that there is no quid pro quo at play here! LOL! ; )
lewis8457 on April 03 at 9:03 a.m.
so what is the deal the spouse isn’t charged with anything. this is still a free country isn’t it? anybody with a brain bigger then a peanut knows Steve Tucker is worthless and that laziness makes him dangerous.
Hell if i was Dave’s wife i would have given 5 grand, and put a banner on my car announcing it.
Truthbtold on April 03 at 2:40 p.m.
Could someone cut and paste the article for me…..I can’t seem to read it!
redhatlinda on April 03 at 6:53 p.m.
Records show that Republican prosecuting attorney candidate Dave Stevens accepted the donation in February and has kept the money despite knowing that the contributor’s husband, David Elton, faces three counts of felony harassment.
David Elton wrote in an e-mail in February that he would “donate as much as he could afford” to Stevens’ campaign. Documents from the state Public Disclosure Commission show that Elton’s wife, Belinda Elton, contributed $500 in February.
In an interview this week, Stevens said that he met with David Elton over coffee in February at Elton’s request and that it was during that conversation that he first learned about Elton’s legal problems. Stevens, a former Spokane County deputy prosecutor, said Elton tried to show him some papers related to the charges and that he told Elton not to talk to him about the pending case. He also said that he later advised Dale Nagy, the deputy prosecutor handling the case, that the conversation took place.
Stevens, who is challenging incumbent Republican Prosecutor Steve Tucker, said if Elton had sent him a check he would not have deposited it, but that he hasn’t refused the money, in part, because the donation was made over the Internet. He also said he’s short on campaign money, so he hasn’t returned it. “If I’d known what was going on with the guy, I would have never met with him and never had anything to do with him,” Stevens said.
Even so, Stevens said after he found out about the charges, he agreed to appear on Elton’s weekly radio show on KTRW 630 AM, a conservative local station.
“I just did it because I felt kind of obligated because he had donated,” Stevens said.
Elton, 44, is accused of making threats in e-mail messages to his ex-wife, Robin Stewart, Cowles Co. Chairwoman Betsy Cowles and Spokane City Council President Joe Shogan. The Cowles Co. owns The Spokesman-Review.
In an e-mail interview, Elton said “there is no conflict at all” for him to donate money to Stevens.
“I will donate the max to Dave Stevens,” Elton wrote. “Our current prosecutor is a horrible man. A true embarrassment to the voters.”
Court records indicate that Elton pleaded guilty in 2004 to harassment after he made a threatening phone call to his ex-wife.
Tucker said he wouldn’t take money from anyone facing charges from his office, but that he didn’t necessarily think it was a conflict for Stevens to do so.
Frank Malone, a Democrat also competing for the office, said he would return contributions from anyone facing charges from the office he hopes to oversee.
Elton’s ability to get attention from local politicians doesn’t end with Stevens.
It’s been more than a year since Elton wrote in an e-mail that he would “enjoy” the decapitation of Spokane City Council President Joe Shogan. But that alleged threat hasn’t stopped Shogan’s colleagues from appearing on Elton’s half-hour radio show.
Elton said he pays the station for the right to host the show, but declined to say how much.
So far, Elton’s guests have included City Council members Nancy McLaughlin and Steve Corker, former Councilman Al French, County Commissioner Mark Richard, and county commission candidate Steve Salvatori.
Those who’ve been on Elton’s show said their appearance was not meant in disrespect to Shogan.
“They are allegations,” Richard said. “I’m not one that’s prone to judge people before they’re found guilty of accusations.”
Said McLaughlin, “He was very pleasant and treated me very respectfully.”
And Shogan said he’s OK with his council colleagues appearing on Elton’s program.
redhatlinda on April 03 at 6:53 p.m.
last half of article:
Elton, a critic of the Cowles Co., said he likely will represent himself if the matter goes to trial.
“Tell Betsy her cross-examination will be very entertaining,” he said.
The alleged threat aimed at Shogan was written by Elton in an e-mail in December 2008.
In February 2009, Elton sent an e-mail that began “comedy below,” court records say. It then said he planned to kill himself before July 4 and that he wanted “to murder” a list of people that included Cowles and Stewart.
Elton has been open about his diagnoses of bipolarity and has discussed the disorder on his show.
“I believe this case will set a precedent in the area of freedom of speech … and also mental illness,” Elton said in the e-mail interview. “I feel a duty to represent my fellow bipolars. We are very much misunderstood.”
Truthbtold on April 03 at 7:08 p.m.
Thanks so much!! Your a peach!! :)
Marie on April 03 at 7:28 p.m.
Apparently because Mr. Stevens is short of money he hasn’t done the right thing and returned Mrs. Elton’s contribution. It doesn’t look right to be taking money from a family member of someone the Prosecutor’s Office is prosecuting. So much for Mr. Stevens’ leadership abilities.
misjustice on April 03 at 8:35 p.m.
” Republican prosecuting attorney candidate Dave Stevens..”
Kinda says it all! Oh, but I’m SURE there is no quid pro quo!
LMYAO! ; )
Thanks @ Linda…you are a peach!
lewis8457 on April 04 at 8:59 a.m.
If Stevens is so bad don’t tell me you are going to vote for Tucker? If you do it really does show you are from out of town.
I don’t for a minute think Stevens is perfect but we need a change even if it is just a mess of new problems. If Stevens can assure me EVERYONE will be held to the letter of the law that is good enough for me. Because we haven’t had that for 8 years.
misjustice on April 04 at 9:46 a.m.
No, I won’t vote for Tucker. In the last election for Prosecuting Attny, I wrote in a candidate…
Not sure how I’ll vote; have to wait and see who the candidates are…
Marie on April 04 at 10:26 a.m.
How is a mess of new problems going to help anything? I would rather take misjustice’s wait and see approach. If Stevens can’t act ethically during a campaign I don’t expect that gettting elected will change his behavior.
xtra on April 04 at 10:45 p.m.
Does this mean the spouse or relative of anyone with a pending traffic ticket cannot donate as well?
Stevens accepted a small donation from Eltons wife,she is not accused of any crime.
bellebelle22 on April 04 at 11:51 p.m.
Thank you Lewis & Xtra. You are absolutely correct, I am not, have not, nor ever been convicted of a crime. What I do with my own money should be my business, not the busiess Jonathan Brunt.
It was very cowardly to paint me in a negative light without talking to me first.
Thank you Mr. Brunt
misjustice on April 05 at 1:31 p.m.
I re-read the article looking for the bias alleged by bellebelle, and I truly couldn’t find it.
And in case contibutors didn’t realize it, political contributions are considered public information; the dollar amounts and contributor’s names are reported by candidates that are bound to do so because of campaign finance laws.
So, yes, thank you Mr. Blunt for reporting on this potential candidate for Prosecutting Attorney, I found the information useful and illuminating.
bellebelle22 on April 05 at 2:00 p.m.
I was not implying bias, I was implying I should be able to donate to whomever I choose. I am NOT guilty of a crime, I have NOT ever been convicted of crime,
I am fully aware of pdc rules and regs & the public has a right to know who is contributing.
If I feel that Mr Tucker is not doing a good job, I have the right to donate to his opponent, again because I am not on trial for any crime. If being married to this man is a crime then convict me for that…I don’t see that I did anything inapprorpriate.
Dazzeetrader11 on April 05 at 2:49 p.m.
Looks like Mr Stevens did the right thing. He’s not in the office anymore so he can do what he wants re: raising money.
Elton,in this article is a distraction. His behavior means nothing to this candidate. Might mean something to Mr Brunt and it’s played up…maybe to associate Stevens with a nut ( or so they say…I’m not so sure).
Either way, Stevens can take money from anyone he wants now that he’s out of the PA’s office. Certainly his wife is free to give and there’s nothing wrong with that either.
SO what’s the rub?. Spokane County still has a lazy, self interested, unresponsive Prosecuting Attorney. That’s the central issue without the window dressing or distractions in this article. Stevens is conservative and he works hard…and he’s competent…so isn’t that what Spokane needs? Elton, etc are just distractions to the real message. I cannot vote in Spokane as I don’t live here….but if I did….
Stevens does sound like a pretty strong candidate despite the “guilt by assication” argument put forth by the reporter.
D
misjustice on April 05 at 2:54 p.m.
You were not accused of committing a crime.
And yes, you have every “right” to contribute to any candidate that you choose. Candidates, however, must also guard against the appearance of quid pro quo. Frequently, candidates have had to either give back funds or donate them to charity when a disclosure has revealed politically damaging information as to the source of the money.
All that the article said was that you made the contribution. The author did not smear you.
Your husband, however, was painted in a very harsh light; and if only half of the actions atributted to him and exposed in the article are true, you have greater things to deal with than a political contribution. My sympathies to you for that.
Another_Perspective on April 07 at 10:31 p.m.
Brunt is no Bill Morlin or Karen Dorn Steel. This is good yellow journalism trying to create a story where one doesn’t exist.
Truthbtold on April 08 at 5:46 a.m.
I disagree; there is a story here. What bothers me about Stevens is his comment:
“I just did it because I felt kind of obligated because he had donated,” Stevens said.
Kinda surprised that many others have not picked up on this. IF Stevens felt obligated to his donor, no matter who it is……………………THATS A PROBLEM!!!!