Washington ex-Democratic official sentenced for embezzlement

SEATTLE – The former executive director of a state Senate Democratic campaign committee was given a two-year sentence Tuesday for embezzling as much as $330,000 in campaign contributions. Much of the money was spent at casinos.

Michael King was ordered to spend half his sentence in prison, where he must undergo alcohol and gambling addiction treatment, the Seattle Times reported. The other half will be spent in community custody, the state’s version of parole. If he violates his release conditions, he will be sent to prison to serve the full term.

He must also pay $250,000 restitution.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty in October to multiple theft counts. King County prosecutors say he was able to swindle the campaign fund by requesting reimbursement for faked expenses.

Charging papers indicate King began embezzling on March 28, 2011, weeks after he was hired as executive director of the statewide organization that was established to help Democratic incumbents and candidates win election to the state Senate.