Spokane7
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February 18, 2010 in City
Prosecutor challenger fired
Tucker gives Stevens choice of unpaid leave, termination
Stevens
(Full-size photo)
Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker fired one of his election rivals Wednesday in a move his opponent immediately labeled political retaliation.
Tucker met with Deputy Prosecutor Dave Stevens early in the day and gave him a choice of remaining on unpaid leave until the August 17 primary election or termination, after Stevens announced earlier this month his intention to challenge Tucker. Stevens chose termination, Tucker said.
“It was a management decision,” Tucker said. “To work effectively, we have to have a unified team. Unfortunately, when (Stevens) decided to run, he went back during work time and started making statements about who he would fire and about replacing the entire management team.”
When Stevens, 47, announced his candidacy, he described the office as suffering from a “total lack of leadership” and having an “absent administrator.”
“The phone was ringing off the hook,” Tucker said of other deputy prosecutors who feared for their job security. “The environment got so bad it was hard for us to serve the public in the property-drug unit.”
But Stevens, in a news release, said he would pursue a grievance process through his union in an attempt to save his job, which pays $86,000 a year.
“This appalling outcome simply reinforces why so many in our community are frustrated with the prosecutor’s office,” Stevens said in the news release. “This poor decision isn’t going to deter or alter our campaign in any way. I plan to continue focusing on Spokane County’s important issues and availing myself to be out listening to the public’s concerns at every possible opportunity.”
Tucker denied Stevens’ dismissal was political retribution, but he also has questioned the job security of subordinates seeking to challenge him in the election. Earlier this month, Tucker said the public shouldn’t be paying for employees to replace their boss.
“Deputy prosecutors have a high level of authority and discretion,” Tucker said. “They are not constitutionally protected when they run against their boss in the prosecutor’s office.”
Also on Wednesday, longtime attorney Frank Malone announced his bid to unseat Tucker. Malone, 67, will run as a Democrat against Tucker and Stevens, who are both Republicans.
Asked about the firing, Malone said he would have handled it differently than Tucker did. He said he spoke to someone with knowledge of the labor contract, who said that it provides for progressive discipline.
“I believe that’s the way to go with an employee who runs afoul with the system. Whether running against you is running afoul, I don’t know,” Malone said. “But absent a serious ethical violation, I’d be into rehabilitating rather than firing.”
Tucker said budget cuts forced him to lose seven deputy prosecutors this year, which has put a strain on the entire office.
As a result of Stevens’ dismissal, Tucker said he hired one attorney to handle cases in Spokane County District Court. Deputy Prosecutor Andi Duggan will get Stevens’ caseload, and another attorney will handle Duggan’s cases in the property-drug unit.
That deputy prosecutor is Tom Treppiedi, the son of Spokane Assistant City Attorney Rocky Treppiedi, who also serves on the board of Spokane Public Schools.
Stevens said the public will suffer because of Tucker’s decision.
“Justice isn’t being served by benching the one person who has done the homework and put in the required time on my assigned cases,” he said.
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
Jon on February 18 at 7:48 a.m.
Prosecutor Steve Tucker takes months, even years to make charging recommendations but can fire an employee in good standing with in a couple of weeks. Tucker just lost two votes from Spokane County.
darre on February 18 at 8:27 a.m.
I guess maybe he is little scared .does that mean he cant run on taxpayers time either
Orphan on February 18 at 8:58 a.m.
Mr. Tucker are you also taking unpaid leave until August. The tax payers should not have to pay you to run for office either.
This is a major problem with elected officials and law enforcement they think the rules are for everyone else. Tucker forgot he serves the people of Spokane County, good bye and good riddance Mr. Tucker, what a piece of work you are.
Ron_the_Cop on February 18 at 9:14 a.m.
See my related comments over at Community Comment:
… Then there is Mr. Tucker that surfaces to fire Mr. Stevens but can’t investigate his way out of a paper bag and decided there was “insufficient evidence” to file criminal charges in the Savage death without compelling a complete and thorough criminal investigation. See my snipe over in the other thread.
http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/commcomm/2010/feb/17/bulldog-bulldog-our-midst/#c119487
Marie on February 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Since Mr. Stevens is running on a platform of transparency he ought to release the letter he received from Tucker and his response to the media.
angus2253 on February 18 at 10:03 p.m.
Poor litttle ronnie policeperson, get a grip……get a life.
Ron_the_Cop on February 18 at 10:35 p.m.
Angus2253,
You’re entitled to your own opinion. Tucker did not do the job he’s sworn to the people to do. That’s the long and short of it. If you’re satisfied with this you get what you pay for.