Spokane7
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February 22, 2010 in City
Center for Justice director to resign
Breean Beggs announced his resignation Feb. 22, 2010, the public interest law firm Center for Justice.
(Full-size photo)
Breean Beggs, the self-described chief catalyst for the public interest law firm Center for Justice, announced his resignation Monday, citing both fewer financial resources at the firm and aspirations for a future run at public office.
Beggs, 47, quickly said he has no public office in mind, especially the already contentious race for Spokane County Prosecutor.
“Most of my life that has been my dream,” Beggs said of seeking public office. “I plan to stay in Spokane, raise my kids a little older and look for the right office at the right time. I will take all those issues I learned and take them inside government instead of outside.”
Until then, Beggs will work with the Spokane law firm of Paukert & Troppmann. He said he plans to litigate employment and injury cases in addition to civil rights and open-government work.
His resignation will not affect the ongoing federal civil rights case on behalf of the estate of Otto Zehm, the mentally ill janitor who died in 2006 while in the custody of Spokane Police. Jeffry Finer will remain lead counsel on that case and Beggs said he will continue to contribute.
Former public defender Jim Sheehan founded the nonprofit Center for Justice in 1999 with his own funds. But the Center now operates solely on contributions from foundations and grants, which have decreased in this poor economy. As a result, the firm went from six fulltime attorneys to four working part-time.
“Obviously, losing Breean is a huge loss. We just have to get together and determine what we are going to do now,” Sheehan said. “It’s hard to explain … what Breean has meant not only to the Center but the entire community.”
Sheehan said he’s glad Beggs is remaining in Spokane and believes he would make an effective public servant.
“He isn’t interested in tearing people down. He’s interested in bringing people together from all sides and having everybody connect in a way where we can actually get something done,” Sheehan said. “A lot of people talk about that, but you don’t see it in their actions. You do with Breean.”
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
HankTingler on February 22 at 2:23 p.m.
I would like to see Breean run for Attorney General, sadly though that would take him out of Spokane.
“When one door closes, another door opens”.
Anne_Observer on February 22 at 3:08 p.m.
We owe a lot to Breann and the Center for Justice. Not just locals, but in some cases everyone in this state. They have done some great work, and I hope they can continue to operate in Breann’s absence. At the same time, I wish Breann luck in his future bid for public office. It has been rare lately that we have had a politician who is more interested in justice than in lobbyist dollars.
gslbball on February 22 at 4:31 p.m.
Another liberal in office we do not need.
spokanada on February 22 at 4:38 p.m.
Pretty witty comment gslbball. No facts, just opinion. Keep up the good work.
BitofBacon on February 22 at 4:54 p.m.
I hope he runs in an election I can vote for. It would give me immense pleasure to vote against him.
gslbball on February 22 at 5:09 p.m.
Thanks Spokanada–prove me wrong with some facts please.
eagleproducer on February 22 at 5:41 p.m.
gslball: Boy George submitted eight straight budgets that ran huge deficits even without the two wars on the books.
Were you a staunch fiscal conservative then, or were you content to revel in your newly elevated “nascar dad” status and leave concerns like bankrupting the treasury to your Grand Old Party?
gslbball on February 22 at 6:32 p.m.
spoketucky—please speak intelligibly and I promise to try and answer whatever your question(s) are. But if I heard you right, and frankly I’m not exaclty sure of your point, I’ll take George over the current office holder who’s trying to triple, quadruple? the deficit–mostly new spending. take a look at http://blog.heritage.org/2009/03/24/bush-deficit-vs-obama-deficit-in-pictures/ and rethink your post.
Lulubelle on February 22 at 6:54 p.m.
Breean Beggs for public office???? Now that’s a campaign I can get behind!
Dazzeetrader11 on February 22 at 10:36 p.m.
He’s too far left to be objective. Besides…what’s he done since being on Sheehan’s payroll? Major accomplishments? I don’t live in Spokane but I read. I don’t remember anything he’s accomplished except beginning futile lawsuits.. D
cowboy on February 23 at 9:05 a.m.
I believe he has been the one working on the Otto Zehm case no one else would touch.
maybe he is sick of trying to get justice in Spokane for the under dog and realizes with the way the police guild operates it is a mute point. at least in Spokane anyway.
Ron_the_Cop on February 23 at 3:38 p.m.
Folks may wish to read my reply to Cowboy in the newer article thread at:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/feb/23/center-for-justice-loses-lawyer/?comments#c121320
cowboy on February 24 at 9:10 a.m.
Ron i don’t know if i would start a fight with the SPD if i had a wife and children to worry about. They don’t play fair.
instead of spending so much time on one death in the parking garage how bout using your talents to deal with the high numbers of innocents the SPD puts down on a regular basis.
sure the parking garage is a issue along with the city website but that is small potatoes when a trip to a mini mart can result in death..
cowboy on February 24 at 9:11 a.m.
many of us have written letters letter to our representatives about the issues in Spokane. Just so you know your not the only white knight in Spokane.