February 9, 2010 in City

Now you don’t see the prosecutor, now you do

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Although I’ve never met the man (that I can recall), I can’t tell you how grateful I am to Dave Stevens.

Stevens provided an invaluable service the other day by jogging my memory banks.

It happened when he announced his intent to run against his boss, Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker, in the August primary.

“Oh, that’s right,” I said to myself after digesting the news.

“We DO have a county prosecutor named Steve Tucker.”

Hey, I’m probably not the only one in the community to suffer a Steve Tucker brain lapse.

I dare you. Name a public official around here who keeps a lower profile.

Tucker makes the stealth bomber look like a parade of raucous, celebratory New Orleans Saints fans.

Elvis has been seen more in the last 10 years than Steve Tucker.

If Tucker were a groundhog we’d never know if we were in for six more weeks of winter.

There’d be no coaxing Punxsutawney Steve out of his hole so he could see his shadow.

I’m not saying Tucker is the Invisible Man. A team of courthouse ghost hunters once claimed to sense his mustachioed eerie presence.

In declaring his candidacy, Stevens said of Tucker: “Until I came here, I’d never seen a total lack of leadership.”

Stevens went on to add that, “There needs to be a determined leader, not an absent administrator.”

That’s where Stevens is dead wrong.

Tucker is plenty determined to use the hibernating bear as his office management role model.

Just a day after Stevens launched his attack, however, Tucker placed the deputy prosecutor on paid leave with possible disciplinary consequences.

The move was extraordinary since decisiveness is not one of the prosecutor’s strong suits.

Tucker’s the kind of guy who would take three hours to order lunch off the McDonald’s dollar menu.

But this wasn’t the first time Tucker has dealt swiftly with political enemies.

After his first election win in 1998, Tucker immediately fired five workers in the prosecutor’s office.

Included among the fallen was a supervisor who had suspended Tucker when he was a deputy prosecutor for performance issues like regularly not showing up for meetings.

But in Tucker’s defense, you can’t lower your handicap by wasting time at meetings.

I know. Over the years there have been a lot of rumors and jokes about how much time the prosecutor spends on golf.

But is Tucker really that wild about golf?

You be the judge:

Stevens, a Republican, has been endorsed by the GOP.

Tucker, also a Republican, hopes to be endorsed by the PGA.

The big question is whether Tucker will fire Stevens.

The prosecutor is on record saying, “I don’t think the public should be paying somebody to run against his boss.”

Far be it from me to give political advice.

But I think it’s in Tucker’s best interest to keep Stevens on the payroll.

What with all the nice weather we’re having, the prosecutor’s going to need a caddy.

Doug Clark is a columnist for The Spokesman-Review. He can be reached at (509) 459-5432 or by e-mail at dougc@spokesman.com.

10 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  ChefGus/ John Olsen on February 09 at 1:09 a.m.

  I hear you might easily be able to find the Absent Tucker at the Globe for Very very very long lunches….but that might be a rumor and not a fact…. Tucker is the reason why we have such a poor perception of our police force… lack of effective or even minimal prosecution/ investigation on such “tiny” things as OTTO necissitating the Federal investigation and Indictment does point to poor job performance… He should leave town under cover of darkness… Do you or anyone even have a photo of the man ?? Keep after hiim doug.. chefgus

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  ChefGus/ John Olsen on February 09 at 1:24 a.m.

  Doug.. the more the merrier… perhaps your “investigative” counterparts could do some research on Mr Greg Weber ( i think that is his name).. I met and talked to him a few times as he ran for the Ombudsman position… an attorney local to the County who i believe worked for the State Attorney General’s office.. a stand up guy… and he’d be a slam dunk against ANYONE who is running.. the question is why there are not more people running….

  I apologize for doin “serious” in your “funny” column.. but any forum to work on this VERY/ Most important election in the County will be feretted out and co opted.. :))

  It seems to me that even Mr Caruso, who ran against Tucker would have been a better selection… john

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  liarsinnews on February 09 at 8:06 a.m.

  Doug, how about a contest every day guessing what time Tucker shows up after lunch (19th hole). I`ll submit my guess right now to kick the contest off. TUCKER IS A NO SHOW!! Winners will be rewarded with a “OTTO” pin.

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  D Statler on February 09 at 9:45 a.m.

  I just wish that when he did get back from his long lunches,he would do a better job.Leadership starts from the top.Without anyone there,bad things can happen.The prosecutors office at his level could be the most powerful elected official in the country.He can ruin anybody with the stroke of a pen.He can give innocent people years in prison.He can make deals with really bad people.He can not do anything at all.He can look the other way when he knows things are wrong.Seems that what I just described has been happening over and over in Spokane. Thanks for shedding more light on this dis-functional department Doug ! We lost some very good watchdog reporters last year at the Review.Glad to see there is someone left down there to shed light on these issues.Even if it is a FUNNY light ! Remember to VOTE in November…………….

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  jeremy_huston on February 09 at 11:53 a.m.

  Robert Caruso understands what it’s like to own/operate your own business - as his history shows. If Tucker were in business for himself, he would be out of business! I hope Mr. Caruso will run again, as I’m sure many others feel the same.

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  lewis8457 on February 09 at 6:35 p.m.

  After reading about all the injustice happening through the federal government our state government and city and county. I am of the opinion we could vote a inexperienced guy into office and get better representation. At least he wouldn’t learn how to steal from us for couple years. tucker has his hands in the cookie jar 24/7.

  Yes John is right we need Greg Weber to run.

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  km on February 09 at 7:53 p.m.

  Steve Tucker and Stevens County “prosecutor” useless Tim Rasmussen, sound like two peas in a pod . . . come to think of it, didn’t useless Rasmussen work for Tucker before he went to Stevens County? Maybe that’s where he learned to collect a paycheck and stay out of sight . . .

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  ultra_litigator on February 09 at 11:07 p.m.

  I actually agree with undooly_prosecuted about something. A leader inspires people. I have been lucky to work for some outstanding leaders when I was in the Navy and when I was in federal law enforcement. It’s a real pleasure to show up at work when you know that the people in charge have your back and are doing the right thing.

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  ChefGus/ John Olsen on February 10 at 12:18 a.m.

  Semper Fi Mr Stevens…. I would vote for a Marine over most others given some experience in prosecution….. thank you for stepping up… john

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  ChefGus/ John Olsen on February 10 at 12:22 a.m.

  As this is pondered this morning.. i am wondering if Mr Tucker is an ‘at will” employee.. as an elected official… and if he could have been “fired” by the County Commissioners? Likely not.. but it argues for this job to be NON political and Non Partisan… perhaps appointed after a recommendation from a board of judges or some such…. j